Michelle ThompsonCheltenham, a town known for its spa heritage, racecourse, and Regency-style buildings—as well as being home to GCHQ—is set to grow its cyber presence with a planned £95m cyber park aimed at establishing it as the UK’s cyber security hub.
The £13bn-a-year cyber industry is expected to benefit from a fresh approach that brings together both start-ups and major firms.
A 116-acre site next to GCHQ has been approved for development by local councils, planners, and the government, with £1bn earmarked for the project. Construction could begin as soon as October—but how will this affect local residents?
Cyber park, school and eco-homes
Golden Valley refers to the wider development project located near the Springbank and Fiddler’s Green areas.
It includes 3,700 new homes—1,000 of which will be eco-friendly and available to rent or buy—a new primary school, and public green areas.
Plans also feature restaurants, cafés, sports facilities, and event spaces for community use.
The cyber park will serve as an educational hub, offering rental spaces for businesses, schools, and universities to support training and learning.
A visual rendering of the Golden Valley project shows the planned development next to GCHQ in Cheltenham.
At the heart of the development is the National Cyber Innovation Centre, intended to position Cheltenham as the UK’s leading cyber hub.
The project is projected to generate 12,000 jobs. Construction will be carried out in phases, with approval for the first phase anticipated this summer.
How the cyber park could look
The initial phase focuses on the cyber park, featuring 1 million sq ft (93,000 sq metres) of commercial space, a car park, and bus stops linking to Cheltenham Spa railway station.
Construction could start by October, pending approval of two key applications—shaped by public feedback—by Cheltenham Borough Council this summer.
Developers aim to complete the Golden Valley project within 10 to 15 years.
‘We have the potential to drive significant growth’
Local infrastructure has already begun adapting to support future growth.
Cheltenham’s roads have seen upgrades, including added lanes at the Arle Court Roundabout and increased capacity at M5 junction 11, with plans underway for a new M5 junction.
In the town centre, the £9.2m Minster Exchange opened last year, offering workspace for cyber and tech businesses.
Nearby in Gloucester, the £5.8m Forum development aims to attract cyber companies and create up to 1,500 jobs.
The University of Gloucestershire has also expanded its student offerings with a new cyber and digital centre.
The Forum in Gloucester is under construction, designed to draw in tech and cyber companies.
The first phase of the Golden Valley development is being led by HBD, a property developer, and Factory, a tech campus developer.
HBD is also supporting digital workshops at local primary schools and working with the University of Gloucestershire, Gloucestershire College, and the University of Bristol to help develop students’ skills.
Ed Hutchinson, managing director of HBD, emphasized that the project aims to enhance the security of cyber and AI technologies as the world advances rapidly.
“Golden Valley will be a place for leaders in academia, government, large industries, and start-ups to collaborate in specialized spaces that traditional offices cannot provide,” he said.
He also noted that with the UK’s ambition to become a global leader in these sectors, the concentration of specialized industries in a region known for its robust ecosystem and skilled workforce will drive growth and foster collaboration within the national tech sector.
A contractor for the project is expected to be appointed soon.
Emily Martinez
