A net zero carbon development is being planned for Cheltenham.

Newland Homes wants to build 21 homes on land off Kidnappers Lane, between two of its other developments and south of the huge Shurdington Road site.

The 1.74 hectares (3.98 acre) site was previously part of wider development proposals by Bovis Homes Limited and Miller Homes Limited for 650 homes.

They were refused by Cheltenham Borough Council in 2014. The developers appealed, unsuccessfully, but had amended the plans to leave out the Kidnappers Lane plot leaving them free to have another crack at it separately.

It has applied for permission from Cheltenham Borough Council for 21 homes, with six being social rent and two shared ownership. The plans include associated infrastructure, open space, landscaping and two main access points from Kidnappers Lane.

The L-shaped site is overgrown scrubland, formerly used as a plant nursery, paddock and field laid to grass.

It sits between Newland Homes' completed Pear Tree development of 27 zero carbo homes and its 13-property Nurseries development which gained approval in October 2024. 

Miller Homes' Shurdington Road 350- home development sits to the north. It was also part of the wider 650-home plans which were refused on appeal.

It was approved by the Secretary of State on appeal  in November 2024 after Cheltenham Borough Council was unable to demonstrate a five-year housing supply.

The homes would be constructed using sustainably sourced materials and renewables energy technologies. They woyld be positioned to have shelter from prevalent winds and benefit from passive solar gain as much as possible.

The use of solar pv panels combined with air source heat pumps will mean homes will be zero carbon in terms of energy use. Features such as built-in recycling bins in the kitchens, underfloor heating, rainwater butts and composting facilities will encourage further sustainability.

Sustainable Drainage systems (SuDs) including an open attenuation basin will manage surface water effectively while creating a valuable habitat for wildlife.

A statement by Pegasus Design on behalf of the applicant highlighted that the council's latest Housing Delivery Test result was 65% and its current housing land supply was 2.52 years.

The statement added: "The site will deliver both market and affordable housing, making a significant contribution to the council's five year housing land supply over the coming years (including the provision of affordable housing), as well as bringing forward associated infrastructure in a timely manner.

"It is considered that the proposals will not lead to any unacceptable harm in terms of impact on highway safety, flooding, heritage assets, landscape or biodiversity."

The council is due to decide the application by October 9, 2025.