Cheltenham’s groundbreaking Golden Valley innovation and technology centre, situated near GCHQ, took center stage last week at the UK Government’s flagship cyber security event, Cyber UK. Hosted by the National Cyber Security Centre in Manchester and attended by over 2,000 leaders from industry and academia, the event provided the perfect platform to reveal exciting developments for the project’s next phase.
HBD, part of Henry Boot, and Cheltenham Borough Council (CBC) led the Golden Valley delegation alongside innovation hub Plexal, unveiling the newly named I/O Buildings—INPUT and OUTPUT—essential components of phase two. These buildings will foster collaboration among academia, business, and government, with INPUT emphasizing skills and talent development, and OUTPUT focusing on driving technological innovation.
The first phase’s highlight, the IDEA Innovation Centre, will offer 160,000 sq ft of premium office space and versatile event facilities designed to inspire groundbreaking ideas. Construction for this flagship building is scheduled to commence later this year.
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Cabinet Office Minister Pat McFadden emphasized the significance of Golden Valley in his keynote address, referencing the £1 billion investment into the campus and highlighting its transformative potential. “That site alone is expected to create 12,000 jobs and be home to hospitality, retail businesses, and 3,700 new homes. It’s all about growth,” he stated.
Ed Hutchinson, Managing Director of HBD, confirmed the importance of Cyber UK in building sector connections and showcased the project’s CGI visuals, spotlighting the dynamic I/O Buildings.
Cheltenham Borough Council leader Rowena Hay praised the event’s role in promoting phase two, embracing the opportunity to share the vision and cultivate valuable partnerships for advancing the development.
A key element of Golden Valley is its commitment to sustainable travel through ROUTER, a cutting-edge mobility hub designed to enable seamless, eco-friendly transport across the site. This hub will also integrate retail, leisure, and wellbeing amenities, enhancing life for residents and visitors alike.
Golden Valley stands as a £1 billion gross development value project, strategically positioned next to GCHQ. It will significantly bolster the UK’s leadership in cyber security, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, and secure communications. With planning underway for around one million sq ft of commercial space and nearly 1,000 residential units, the project aims to meet Cheltenham’s housing needs while advancing national security and economic resilience.