Proposals for Cheltenham car park would see 150 homes built

A massive car park in could be turned into homes for more than 300 people, with the grey swathes of North Place car park transformed into a green living space. Called Arkle Court, the proposals released this week for public consultation show how the “eyesore” could be transformed into a modern development. Developer Glancy Nicholls have plans to build 153 eco-friendly and energy-efficient homes on the opposite the restaurants and entertainment venues of Brewery Quarter.

This would include 75 three-bedroom townhouses, as well as 78 one and two-bedroom apartments in four-storey blocks that they say will reflect the town’s Regency character. In place of the handily located hundreds of central parking spaces would be rows of yellow-clad townhouses, separated and backing onto open green spaces, with space left for public art installations and murals during the Cheltenham Paint Festival. This leafy oasis in the town centre would also connect the Brewery Quarter to with a central avenue of green space.

Plans state that each home would be built to an A-rated energy efficiency standard, with air-sourced heat pumps, solar panels and mechanical ventilation to keep air circulating. Each house would also have dedicated parking with electric vehicle charging points, as well as parking. Ben Clarke, technical director of Wavensmere Homes, said: “In 2013, Cheltenham Borough Council awarded planning for a large supermarket and 143 new homes for this site, but this didn’t materialise.

Since then the development of The Brewery Quarter has created more focus and activity in this part of town and highlighted the underutilised land as an unattractive blot on the local townscape. “Our plans for Arkle Court include both apartments and townhouses, as we want to offer young professionals, families, and older people, appropriate and attainable new homes that enable them to significantly lower their carbon footprint. “The scheme design overcomes the various site complexities, will greatly enhance the street scene along North Place and St Margaret’s Road, and is entirely reflective of the principles of Cheltenham’s Central Conservation Area.

We hope that Cheltenham residents will engage with the consultation process and support this brownfield regeneration proposal. ” There is currently a five-year housing supply shortage in Cheltenham, meaning that housebuilding is not keeping up with the ever-growing population of the Regency town. This means that borough planners have a legal responsibility to support developments that do not contravene local planning rules.

Nick Spencer, co-founder at BBS Capital said: “This site is positioned within a highly desirable area of Cheltenham, where the rich historical context has shaped the design ethos. “Located very close to the range of quality restaurants and shops at The Brewery Quarter, the homes being proposed here are designed to address local housing needs within an area in strong popular demand. We are pleased to have reached this key milestone in the Arkle Court design process.

” You can view the plans for Arkle Court/North Place and submit your views on the development on the.