A a pioneering project to build a vast cyber development in Gloucestershire has secured a share of a £15m Government fund for the delivery of new homes and jobs in garden communities across England.
The Golden Valley Development scheme includes the UK’s first cyber business park and will be built near to Britain's spy agency GCHQ in Cheltenham.
The development, which is being proposed by Cheltenham Borough Council in partnership with Tewkesbury Borough Council, will have the UK’s new National Cyber Innovation Centre at its heart, but will also include 3,700 low-carbon homes and high-tech workspace for cyber start-ups.
It will span some 200 hectares and is expected to create nearly 12,000 jobs and two million square feet of commercial space.
Last month, the boss of Golden Valley Development, told BusinessLive the “internationally significant” scheme would help lead Britain’s mission to become the safest place in the world to do online business.
Mike Collins, cabinet member cyber, regeneration and commercial income at Cheltenham Borough Council, said: “This additional funding is a recognition of central government support for the borough’s plans.
"It will enable us to strengthen work streams in the project’s final feasibility and pre-delivery phases as we, the council, work to create a stronger community, providing high-quality homes and a long-term plan for jobs and educational learning pathways.”
The announcement of the funding from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities follows the Government’s Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill introduced to Parliament last week.
Housing minister Stuart Andrew said: “Building beautiful new homes in the places they are most needed lies at the heart of the Government’s levelling up mission.
“Garden villages and towns are perfect examples of the vibrant, green communities we want to see right across the country and today’s funding will allow us to work hand-in-hand with local leaders and industry to deliver the high-quality new homes that we need.”
Tewkesbury Borough Council has also benefitted from the additional funding pot for the work to improve Junction 9 of the M5 and improve traffic flow in and around Ashchurch.
Last year, a joint venture between UK property developer Henry Boot Development (HBD) and the international innovation campus developer Factory, was appointed as the preferred development partner for the scheme. HBD X Factory - as the joint venture is known - will be responsible for bringing forward the £1bn first phase, including the cyber business park - known as UK Cyber Central - and its Innovation Zone.
