Published on 11th December 2023

Boarded up farm building at Homelea Farm, cyber, cyber development, development

Work begins to create a safe and secure site. A number of redundant farm buildings and an un-occupied house will be demolished, with work beginning on site today (11 December).

The empty buildings – at Holmlea Farm, Springbank Road – have attracted anti-social behaviour, so work to remove them has been accelerated, to make the area safe and secure.

Planning permission has been granted for the demolition which will see removal of a two storey house, a bungalow and a single storey garage.  A number of unused agricultural buildings will also be removed as part of the demolition, which do not require planning permission.  All of the buildings were empty at the time the council purchased the land.

Residents living in the immediate area will receive letters about the work.

The demolition will be carried out in stages, with careful control of noise and dust during the works. The site will be left tidy and clear, with crushed brickwork and concrete being re-used in future construction where possible, on the Golden Valley site, as part of the upcoming Golden Valley development. 

Councillor Mike Collins, cabinet member for cyber and regeneration said: ‘’The buildings have been sitting empty for a long time. We are very aware that they continue to attract anti-social behaviour which we know is a worry for those living in the nearby area and due to this, we feel it is necessary to demolish the buildings now rather than later.  It’s a positive step that planning has been secured for demolition, which will leave the site clear and safe, ready for the next stages as we move forward with Golden Valley.’’

The £1bn Golden Valley development aims to make Cheltenham the UK’s cyber capital, centred around an innovation centre and mobility hub, with 1 million square foot of commercial space, 1,000 low carbon homes to rent or buy, green spaces and a primary school.

The demolition is separate to the wider planning application (ref. 23/01875/OUT) – which has recently been submitted - to develop the site.

For further information about the demolition and to see all related planning application documents, visit www.publicaccess/Cheltenham.gov.uk, reference: 23/01823/DEMCON.