A plan to build an affordable estate on one of Cheltenham's last undeveloped green spaces has progressed to submission stage with planners.

Aster Group, a Devizes-based charity housing association, has asked Cheltenham Borough Council for approval for its scheme on The Folley, a 15.32-acre parcel of land north of Swindon Road which, it says, will deliver affordable housing for families one mile from the town centre.

The scheme seeks to deliver a mix of shared ownership and rental property on the land, which is owned by the University of Gloucestershire and which, records show, has seen likely use as a recreational area since the 1880s.

Nearby residents to the fields, which are a popular recreation spot for university students, were sent letters last year in a consultation to determine their views.

At this latest stage in the bid, Aster Group has issued a statement which said: "Following consultation with the local community on the plans, Aster has increased new public open space provision on site and implemented additional measures to safeguard the privacy of existing neighbours.

"The detailed proposals would deliver 122 new homes, offering affordable routes to home ownership, via shared ownership, and homes for rent, alongside new public open spaces and community sports provision."

The proposals would offer an opportunity to open-up the site to wider public use "whilst addressing the severe need for affordable homes in Cheltenham," the statement added.

A Local Housing Needs Assessment has identified that, over the past five years, housing need in Cheltenham Borough has outstripped the supply of affordable housing by almost three times. Specifically, the document says Cheltenham Borough needs to deliver 3,874 new affordable homes (or 194 per annum) between 2021 and 2041. As of April 2023, the council had 2,596 households on its housing register.

Within the planning details, Aster has indicated that the project would retain the use of car parking provision for neighbouring Gardners Lane Primary School during school/term times.

Cllr Rowena Hay, Leader of the Cheltenham Borough Council said: "The Folley development - providing much needed, energy efficient, affordable homes for families who want to live and work in the area - is a great example of what can be achieved when the borough council works closely with developers towards creating a really positive outcome for this site and its surrounding area."

She added: "The proposed development offers important community provisions to support health and wellbeing and green public spaces to encourage biodiversity. Most importantly, the affordable nature of the proposed development offers stability for local people and families."

Katy Herrington, Aster's Land and Planning Manager, said: "We have worked hard to ensure the proposals respond to the feedback... with local input resulting in several changes, including an increase in public open space and further tree planting and boundary fencing to ensure the privacy of our neighbours.

"We are pleased to have now submitted an application to provide high-quality, energy efficient affordable homes for local people, with a particular emphasis on shared ownership - an affordable route to home ownership and secure alternative to renting privately - as well as community sports provision. Our aim is to create a fantastic place to live in a central and accessible location, close to shops and services. We are committed to addressing the demands of the climate emergency and will deliver a gas-free scheme, with all homes equipped with air source pumps and electric vehicle charging points."

● Working on a plan to invest £2.3bn for more than 10,000 new homes in the next seven years, Aster Group, which is a not-for-dividend business and became a registered charity last year, provides affordable homes across the south of England and London. Last year, the business delivered more than 1,300 homes offering affordable and social rent, shared ownership and open-market sale options. It is on track to provide a further 1,160 during 2023/24. The Group reinvests profits from open market sale and shared ownership to support the development of affordable homes, and it currently owns and maintains more than 36,000 homes, employing a staff of 1,900.