Wedoany.com Report-Sept. 24, Bowmer + Kirkland has been selected to deliver the first phase of the £1bn Golden Valley development in Cheltenham, with construction scheduled to commence in spring 2026. The large-scale project is a joint venture between Henry Boot subsidiary HBD and Cheltenham Borough Council, designed to establish a hub that combines housing, commercial space, and facilities for innovation.

The masterplan covers a 200-hectare site adjacent to GCHQ. Once complete, the development will provide 2,500 homes and approximately 116,000 square metres of commercial floor space. The wider vision aims to generate around 12,000 jobs and position Golden Valley as a national centre for cyber innovation, combining research, technology, and enterprise within a single urban framework.

The first phase features two landmark buildings: IDEA, the National Cyber Innovation Centre, and ROUTER, a transport hub designed to integrate smart technology with active travel options. IDEA will deliver 14,900 square metres of office and event space, supporting collaboration, business activity, and research. ROUTER will promote sustainable mobility across the site and will include leisure, retail, and wellbeing facilities for the community.

Enabling works will be carried out during this stage to prepare the site for future phases of development. While the financial value of the phase one contract has not been publicly disclosed, construction approval was granted following the outline planning consent for the scheme’s initial phase.

Bowmer + Kirkland brings prior experience to the project, having worked with HBD on Island, a £60m net zero carbon office development in Manchester. This background provides a foundation for its role in Golden Valley, where the emphasis is on combining sustainable design, advanced infrastructure, and long-term community benefits.

The Golden Valley scheme highlights the growing importance of developments that combine residential, commercial, and innovation spaces with sustainability. By introducing IDEA and ROUTER in the early stages, the project sets the framework for a multifunctional community capable of supporting business growth, employment opportunities, and modern transport solutions.

Construction is expected to create momentum for subsequent phases of housing and commercial delivery. With its phased structure, Golden Valley aims to balance immediate infrastructure needs with long-term development targets, contributing to Cheltenham’s urban expansion while supporting new industries.