Construction has started on the first phase of Golden Valley, the £1 billion cyber and technology campus in Cheltenham.  

The milestone marks a major new chapter for the town and wider region, bringing forward new workspace, jobs, homes, green space, skills opportunities and community infrastructure.

Cheltenham Borough Council and development partner HBD, part of Henry Boot, have confirmed that work is now under way, with Bowmer + Kirkland appointed as main contractor for phase one.

Golden Valley will build on Gloucestershire’s 70-year heritage at the heart of UK intelligence and national security, strengthening the county’s position as a leading UK hub for cyber security, AI, secure communications and defence technology.

Once complete, Golden Valley is expected to create 12,000 jobs, help grow Gloucestershire’s tech output to £2.7 billion and generate an additional £151 million in local spend. Alongside the economic benefits, Golden Valley will also deliver around 1,000 new homes for the local community, 32% of which will be affordable.

Phase one will include IDEA, Golden Valley’s Innovation Centre. The building is already 68% reserved and is scheduled to complete in early 2028. IDEA’s role in growing UK cyber and defence innovation is underlined in the Government’s Modern Industrial Strategy. It will bring together government, academia and growing companies and will include an integrated Skills Hub, providing training programmes and career pathway guidance.

The first phase will also include ROUTER, a transport hub that will support sustainable travel across Golden Valley, with cycling facilities, e-bike charging, real-time transport information, 453 parking spaces, and retail and leisure amenities for occupiers, residents and the wider community.

Sustainability and green space are central to the plans. IDEA is expected to be 50% more energy efficient than typical workspaces, reducing annual carbon emissions by around 200 tonnes, while 60% of Golden Valley will be dedicated to open green space.

The wider Garden Community vision will also include sustainable new homes, employment space, a new primary school and a range of amenities for the community.

Hamer Boot, Managing Director at HBD, said: “Reaching the point where Golden Valley is now a live construction site is a major achievement and reflects the strength of collaboration between the public and private sector partners involved in bringing this project forward.

“Phase one is an important first step in creating a world-class cyber and technology campus. It will drive significant investment, provide new workspaces, support employment opportunities and deliver the infrastructure needed for businesses, researchers and innovators to locate, collaborate and grow here.

“IDEA and ROUTER will deliver practical benefits from the outset, from skills and training opportunities to sustainable travel infrastructure, while supporting the development of future ground-breaking technologies.”

Councillor Rowena Hay, leader at Cheltenham Borough Council, added: “The start of construction is an important moment for Cheltenham and for Gloucestershire and demonstrates our commitment to creating an internationally recognised development that will deliver lasting benefits for the local, regional and national economy.”

“This is a nationally significant development, but its impact will be felt very locally. Golden Valley is about creating opportunity for local people through new jobs, affordable homes, school programmes, skills partnerships and initiatives such as the recently launched University of Gloucestershire’s Golden Valley scholarship.”

“We want more people across the county to see a future for themselves in cyber, technology and innovation.”

Dr Marsha Quallo-Wright, GCHQ Director of Technology Futures, said: “As the Golden Valley development reaches an important milestone, we’re looking forward to working alongside academia and industry to strengthen our ability to address emerging security challenges, foster innovation, and support the region’s growth. Through these partnerships we will draw on new expertise, share knowledge, and help develop the skills needed for the future. These collaborations will play an important role in supporting our mission to keep the UK safe.”

Stuart Fanshaw, Construction Director at Bowmer + Kirkland, said: “Golden Valley is a major strategic development, and this first phase will set the standard for the wider campus.”

“IDEA and ROUTER will provide the foundations for the next stage of Golden Valley, while creating opportunities beyond the site itself, from supply chain involvement to skills development. We are pleased to be playing a key role in bringing this first phase forward.”

Find out more by visiting: https://www.goldenvalleyuk.com