Cheltenham Borough Council’s planning committee has cleared reserved matters for the southern parcel of the HBD-led scheme.

Approval covers layout, appearance, scale, access and landscaping for the first phase, including the 160,000 sq ft IDEA building and a new transport hub.

Bowmer & Kirkland was appointed last September to deliver the opening phase, with work expected to begin in the coming months.

Golden Valley is being positioned as a major cyber and advanced technologies cluster, bringing together workspace, event space and innovation facilities.

The first phase also includes the ROUTER transport hub, providing 453 car parking spaces, cycle facilities, e-bike charging, showers and lockers, and live transport information.

In addition, outline planning was granted for up to 443 homes on the northern parcel, alongside infrastructure, a new primary school and local amenities.

HBD and Cheltenham Borough Council are now working with Savills to find a delivery partner for the housing phase.

Hamer Boot, interim managing director at HBD, said: “Reserved Matters approval for phase one is a significant step forward for Golden Valley and marks the transition from planning into delivery.”

Gareth Edmundson, chief executive at Cheltenham Borough Council, said: “Golden Valley securing Reserved Matters approval is a hugely important milestone for Cheltenham and for the wider region.”