Types of guidance

We have introduced several types of supplementary guidance to help you understand the issues facing the borough and assist decision taking on planning applications. According to the processes that they have been through in preparation, different weight is accorded to them in decision taking.


Revocation of Supplementary Planning Guidance notes (SPG), Urban Design Concept Statement informal guidance notes (UD) and Cheltenham Civic Pride Urban Design Framework Supplementary Planning Document (SPD)

Over the past thirty years, Cheltenham Borough Council has produced an extensive number of planning guidance notes. These are known as Supplementary Planning Guidance notes (SPG), Supplementary Planning Documents (SPD) and Urban Design Concept Statement informal guidance notes. Many of these documents were produced to provide guidance to policies in the Development Plan that have since been superseded. At a Cabinet meeting on 16 December 2026, members agreed to revoke those document which are out-dated in order that there is clarity for officers, elected members and other interested parties.

In accordance with Regulation 15 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 (as amended), notice is hereby given that Cheltenham Borough Council (Council) has revoked the following SPGs, SPDs and Urban Design Concept Statement informal guidance notes:

List of documents to be revoked

Document type

Title and date adopted

SPG

Affordable Housing (2004)

SPG

Amenity Space (2003)

SPG

Play Space in Residential Development (2003 and updated in 2004)

SPG

Landscaping in New Development (2004)

SPG

Public Art (2004)

SPG

Travel Plans (2003

SPG

Planning Obligations (Transport) (2004)

SPG

Planning Obligations (2003)

SPG

Security and Crime Prevention (2003)

SPG

Signs and Advertisements on Listed Buildings in Commercial Use (1997)

SPG

Sustainable Buildings (2003)

SPG

Sustainable Developments (2003)

SPG

Sustainable Drainage Systems (2003)

SPG

Telecommunications masts, antennas and base stations (2003)

SPG

Submission of Planning Applications (2004)

SPG

The Bafford Conservation Area Character Statement - Key Issues and Actions (2003)

SPG

The Cudnall Street Conservation Area Character Statement - Key Issues and Actions (2003)

SPG

The Poets Conservation Area Character Statement - Key Issues and Actions (2003)

SPG

The Prestbury Conservation Area Character Statement - Key Issues and Actions (2003)

SPG

The St Marys (CK) Conservation Area Character Statement - Key Issues and Actions (2003)

SPD

Cheltenham Civic Pride Urban Design Framework (2010)

UD - Concept Statement

Gloucestershire Police HQ, Lansdown Road (2008)

UD - Concept Statement

Prestbury Road Industrial Area/Windsor Street (2008)

UD - Concept Statement

Fire Station, Keynsham Street (2008)

UD - Concept Statement

Delancey Hospital Site, Charlton Lane (2010)

UD - Concept Statement

Thirlestaine Hall, Thirlestaine Road (2011)

UD - Concept Statement

Cheltenham Spa Railway Station (2012)

Following the revocation of the above, the council will cease to make any physical or digital copies of the documents available.

The recommendation to revoke the Supplementary Planning Guidance notes, Urban Design Concept Statement informal guidance notes and Cheltenham Civic Pride Urban Design Framework Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) was approved by the Cabinet on the 16 December 2025.

For any enquiries, please contact the planning policy team on the following:

By email to [email protected]

In writing to:
Planning policy team
Cheltenham Borough Council 
Municipal Offices
Promenade
Cheltenham
GL50 9SA


The revocation notice will be published on the council’s website for a period of no less than four weeks.