The notoriously cheap-but-cratered North Place Car Park in the centre of Cheltenham may soon be transformed into a residential development of more than 150 eco-friendly homes.
The consultation period for Wavensmere Homes’ development proposals ended in January and Cheltenham Borough Council planners are set to make a decision on May 25.
A good mix of homes for a good mix of people
Architect firm Glancy Nicholls created the plans for the development, featuring a four-storey apartment block with one and two-bedroom flats and 75 three-bedroom, three-storey townhouses.
Consultants representing Wavensmere say the development will offer a “…mix of attainable homes…” to a “…broad socio-economic range…” of people. Biodiversity is a key theme in the plans too, as well as sustainable drainage.
Energy-saving tech comes as standard
The development – named Arkle Court – will, if given the green light, also feature green spaces and parking areas. Properties on the 13,400sqm site are designed to be A-rated for energy efficiency and they’ll be built with local, low-carbon sustainable materials.
Each house and flat will have energy-saving tech such as solar panels and heat pumps, as well as each house having a parking space and access to 7kW EV chargers.
From uneven parking to thriving community
The North Place Car Park has been a feature of Cheltenham life for years but Wavensmere Homes says it wants to change the site into a thriving community.
Cheltenham Borough Council (CBC) leader, Rowena Hay, said she’s pleased that the developer submitted plans to develop the site. She added that she was grateful for Wavensmere Homes working collaboratively with the council to provide the housing that Cheltenham needs.
Arkle Court will transform an ugly blot on the landscape
Technical director of Wavensmere Homes, Ben Clarke, said that the proposed development would transform an unattractive blot on the town’s landscape. He added that the developer was very pleased to have submitted the planning application, which he described as “…significant…”.
Arkle Court is, said Clarke, designed to fit in with the range of shops and restaurants in the Brewery Quarter and carry on the rejuvenation of Cheltenham’s St Paul’s area.
