People in Cheltenham looking for an affordable place to call home are a step closer to finding one, after planning permission was granted to bring 171 new homes to the edge of the town.
The development will span two parcels of land on Old Gloucester Road, which have been made available by Cheltenham Borough Council and Gloucestershire County Council to housing provider BFL (Bromford Flagship LiveWest).
At least 69 of the homes will be affordable, with a mix of shared ownership and social rent, with the remaining 102 properties to be offered for sale on the open market. BFL will build the homes and is seeking Homes England grant funding to push that number even higher.
Lydia Whitaker, head of planning at BFL, said:
“We are thrilled to have received planning permission for these new homes in Cheltenham, including at least 69 affordable homes.
“The site represents the next phase of our development on Old Gloucester Road and demonstrates our long-term commitment to delivering inclusive housing in Cheltenham.
“We have worked closely with the councils to progress the scheme through the planning process and are grateful for their collaboration and support. We are excited to deliver an attractive, green and sustainable place to live, helping to meet Cheltenham’s affordable housing needs.”
Councillor Peter Jeffries, deputy leader of Cheltenham Borough Council and cabinet member for finance and assets, said:
“This really shows the value of partnership working and is a powerful example of the wider benefits we can bring to the community. We’re delighted to be in this unique position to jointly make our land available with Gloucestershire County Council.”
Councillor Colin Hay, deputy leader of Gloucestershire County Council and cabinet member for finance, assets and transformation, said:
“Alongside new homes, the development will bring wider benefits for the area, including investment in local infrastructure and environmental improvements, helping to support a growing and sustainable community.”
The development sits alongside 85 affordable homes already completed by Bromford in spring 2025, meaning the wider Old Gloucester Road neighbourhood will eventually be home to more than 250 families. The larger western site is currently open land owned by the county council, while the smaller eastern plot is a former garden nursery that has sat empty for over a decade.
As well as new homes, the scheme will bring more than £2.2 million in contributions towards local schools, highway improvements, bus services and new play areas. It also delivers major environmental benefits, with 108 new trees planned and a 41% increase in habitat units across the site. The red brick homes have been designed to reflect the character of the local area.
Work is due to start in August 2026, with the first families expected to move in during winter 2027 and the full development completing by winter 2029.