HBD, part of Henry Boot, has secured outline planning consent for the first phase of the landmark £1bn Golden Valley scheme being delivered in partnership with Cheltenham Borough Council.
Golden Valley is a flagship innovation and technology project adjacent to GCHQ, the UK’s intelligence, security and cyber agency. The development will strengthen the UK’s leadership in cyber, AI, quantum technologies and secure communications, supporting national security, economic resilience and industry expansion. The scheme is an important public private partnership, having secured a £104million funding package, including £20million direct from the UK government, complemented by significant additional private sector investment.
The outline planning consent allows for a development comprising around 1 million sq ft of prime commercial space, including IDEA, the new 160,000sq ft National Cyber Innovation Centre referred to in the government’s Modern Industrial Strategy, as well as 576 residential units of various tenures, supporting Cheltenham’s housing needs.
The 200-hectare flagship regional regeneration project will eventually provide around 2,500 new homes, 1.25million sq ft of commercial space with the National Cyber Innovation Centre at its heart, while supporting the creation of almost 12,000 jobs.
Golden Valley will also have a significant impact on skills, with various partnerships already underway with Gloucestershire College, University of Gloucestershire and the University of Bristol, helping to develop the skills necessary for the region to achieve its cyber ambitions.
Tim Roberts, CEO at Henry Boot, commented: “Securing planning permission marks a major milestone for both Henry Boot and the future of UK innovation. Golden Valley is a significant development and a superb example of public and private sector collaboration working well, committing regional investment that will strengthen the UK’s capabilities in the highly important cyber security and emerging technology sectors. It is also testament to the expertise and dedication of our development team. Unlocking land for developments that create jobs, opportunities and economic growth, while delivering sustainable returns for our investors, is central to our long-term strategy.”
Cllr Rowena Hay, Leader at Cheltenham Borough Council said: ”This is excellent news; securing outline planning consent for the first phase marks a significant step forward in the delivery of Golden Valley. We are aware that there are a number of planning obligations that have to be formalised through the conclusion of the Section 106 agreement, and we also acknowledge how important our partnership working will be with colleagues at the county council to secure infrastructure commitments so that we can deliver the full benefits of Golden Valley to our local communities.”
Dr Marsha Quallo-Wright, GCHQ Director of Technology Futures: “We welcome this decision and are pleased to confirm our presence on this important project. We look forward to working alongside academia and industry to enhance our ability to address emerging security challenges, foster innovation and support the region’s growth. By strengthening these collaborations, we will tap into new expertise, share knowledge and help shape the skills needed for the future, all of which are vital to supporting our mission to keep the UK safe.”
HBD began work on Golden Valley in 2022, before submitting an outline planning application in October 2023, which has now been granted. The developer will prepare for construction to begin later this year, and a separate outline planning application for an additional 443 homes is also due for determination in the coming weeks.
HBD, part of Henry Boot, is one of the UK’s most well established property developers. It boasts an impressive track record, strong financial backing and a reputation for delivery that has seen it become the partner of choice for local authorities, investors, and developers. Working with a £1.2billion development pipeline, HBD operates from six UK offices, focusing on industrial and logistics, urban development and residential projects.
Editors’ Notes
About HBD
HBD is where great places start. Part of Henry Boot, HBD is one of the UK’s most active and well respected property developers. Our award winning team operates from six regional offices, delivering high profile and large-scale developments across the UK, with a development pipeline of £1.2billion.
For decades, we have been transforming the future through diverse projects across the country. From industrial and logistics solutions to residential and urban development spaces,
we pride ourselves on how we create and work alongside our communities. HBD brings buildings to life, empowers people and helps businesses thrive.
Our current projects include Island, a £66million net zero next generation workspace scheme in Manchester, Momentum, a 400,000 sq ft BREEAM Excellent, net zero industrial and logistics development in London and Setl, a residential scheme at the heart of Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter.
A keen collaborator, HBD often partners with public and private sector organisations to deliver its projects – from Golden Valley in Cheltenham, which is set to be a world class science and technology hub, through to SPARK a 44-acre industrial and logistics development which will transform one of the largest brownfield sites in the Midlands. For more information visit: https://hbd.co.uk
About Henry Boot
Henry Boot is one of the UK’s leading land, property development, home building and construction businesses – and we’ve been transforming land and spaces since 1886. Listed on the London Stock Exchange since 1919, we’re renowned for quality, expertise, delivery and a partnership approach across the group – which comprises Hallam Land, HBD, Stonebridge, Henry Boot Construction, Banner Plant and Road Link.
Operating across the UK, and employing over 500 people, we focus on three key markets: urban development, industrial and logistics and residential. Hallam Land has facilitated
52,000 new homes since 1990, managing one of the top five largest land portfolios in the country, with the potential to facilitate over 100,000 homes.
HBD manages a development pipeline of £1.2billion, the equivalent of 7million sq ft of developments across our key markets, while maintaining a c.£113million investment portfolio, of which 73% of the properties have an EPC rating of ‘C’ or higher. Stonebridge,our home building business, manages a land portfolio capable of delivering 1,500 homes, with an ambition to deliver up to 600 new homes a year.
Henry Boot Construction has extensive experience in both the public and private sectors, including major projects such as the £200million regeneration of Barnsley town centre, and The Cocoa Works, a £57million residential development in York. For 65 years, Banner Plant has supplied construction products and services, operating from seven regional depots in the North of England.
We have also developed an ambitious Responsible Business Strategy to help us meet our aim of being net zero carbon by 2030, and to deliver, by 2025, charitable, community and education work valued at £1million.
From land promotion and property development investment to home-building, construction and plant hire, Henry Boot is where great places start. For more information visit https://www.henryboot.co.uk
Enquiries
Press release July 2025
HBD
Emma McCallum, Director
07927042054
[email protected]
