A new housing estate containing 250 homes could be built in Cheltenham after initial plans were submitted to the Borough Council.

Robert Hitchins Homes have submitted an application for the 14.9hectare site behind the Sainsbury's store on Priors Road - close to the site of the former GCHQ building at Oakley.

The plot that sits between Harp Hill to the south and Pillowell Close and Brockwell Close to the North has the underground Hewlett Reservoir close to its eastern boundary.

The application, submitted by Pegasus Group on behalf of Robert Hitchins Homes sets out to determine if an Environmental Impact Assessment is needed to accompany a planning application.

Existing buildings at Oakley Farm would be demolished with 250 residential dwellings, vehicular access and associated infrastructure being built.

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Since GCHQ moved out of Oakley in 2011 the site has been transformed into a large residential estate.

Persimmon homes have recently constructed the Oakley Grange estate to the east of the original development that coincided with the opening of the Oakley Sainsbury's store.

The new site that is on the slopes of Cleeve Hill is sure to receive objections given its proximity to the hill and the iconic view of it enjoyed by residents of the town.

County Archaeology have already commented on the proposals, saying "there is a high potential for significant archaeological deposits relating to prehistoric and Roman activity and settlement to be present."

They have also raised concerns about the proximity of the Battledown Camp Scheduled Monument which lies 160metres to the south.