HBD, part of Henry Boot, says it now has a contractor in place for Golden Valley (GV) as it prepares for work to start on-site at the landmark £1bn scheme adjacent to GCHQ in Cheltenham.

Today's news lands amid ongoing uncertainty for the future of Gloucestershire Airport as a £30m deal in the wings with Horizon Aero Group is finetuned, with stakeholders keen to gain reassurance that the airport has a future as an intergral part of the Golden Valley vision.

The GV project is being delivered in partnership between HBD and Cheltenham Borough Council and promises to deliver some 2,500 new homes as well as 1.25 sq ft of commercial space. A total of 12,000 new jobs are also envisaged.

A statement from HBD said: "Developers Bowmer and Kirkland has been appointed to deliver the first phase of the scheme, which includes two flagship buildings, IDEA and ROUTER, along with the enabling works for future phases."

Construction is confirmed to begin on the first phase of the scheme in spring 2026.

HBD added: "IDEA, the National Cyber Innovation Centre, will incorporate 160,000sq ft of high-quality workspace and flexible event facilities in a building designed to inspire groundbreaking ideas and innovation. ROUTER is a transport hub powered by smart technology which will facilitate sustainable travel across the 200-hectare scheme, alongside a range of leisure, retail and wellbeing facilities."

Bowmer and Kirkland has worked with HBD on several major projects, most recently Island, its £60m net zero carbon office scheme, in Manchester city centre.

Ed Hutchinson, Managing Director of HBD, said: "The importance of Golden Valley in strengthening the UK's position as a leader in secure innovation really can't be overstated. The development will play a key role in driving innovation across cyber and deep tech industries while delivering significant economic benefits for Gloucestershire and the wider south west.

"With outline planning consent for phase one approved, it's positive to be able to announce the appointment of Bowmer + Kirkland as we focus on getting started on-site."

Cllr Rowena Hay, Leader at Cheltenham Borough Council, said: "It is important that social value remains a key a priority as Golden Valley begins to take shape. The team at Bowmer + Kirkland took the time to meet with local groups and charities, schools, colleges and universities as early as possible to understand the key priorities for the community and wider region, ensuring that its plans and investment are aligned and will deliver real, tangible benefit."

Stuart Fanshaw, Bowmer and Kirkland Regional Construction Director, said: "We are delighted to continue our relationship with HBD on this exciting scheme, which will contribute to putting the UK at the forefront of cyber innovation. Our team is looking forward to starting on site and working with HBD and Cheltenham Borough Council on a range of social value initiatives to benefit the local workforce and the wider community."

● Working with a £1.2bn development pipeline, HBD operates from six UK offices and focuses on industrial and logistics, urban development and residential projects.