The developer of a 6,000 square metre business park on the outskirts of Cheltenham is looking to change one of the significant planning constraints on the development.

Hinton Properties (Grovefield Way) Ltd won an appeal to build 5,914 sqm commercial office space, a 502 sqm day nursery and 1,742 sqm Aldi supermarket on land off Grovefield Way.

The plan was originally turned down by Cheltenham Borough Council planners because of the fact that food retail units and day nursery were included in the proposed development.

That decision was appealed to The Planning Inspectorate and the scheme was granted subject to a Costa Coffee store being removed from the plan and certain other conditions being met.

One of those was a stipulation that: "the food retail unit shall not be occupied" until three of the five offices buildings are "capable of occupation."

That condition was laid down by the inspector to ensure that 'the prime purpose of the business park is achieved'.

The developer believes that in a chicken and egg situation, the opposite is true and that the supermarket opening is needed.

Hinton Properties say: "Unfortunately this condition is having the opposite effect and is preventing delivery."

They add: "The planning condition in question is currently preventing timely delivery of the development and placing a disproportionate financial burden on the applicant.

"The condition essentially requires the applicant to secure firm commitments for each of the three office units or speculatively build out all units to occupational standard before to the A1 food store becomes operational.

"This is unrealistic in funding terms, based on the current economic situation, and is highly unlikely due to the existing market for pre-sold/pre-let office occupiers."

The developer have a funding report prepared by property consultants Frack-Stieir Price and Alder King that the "development funding required to meet the wording of the condition is too high risk."

Hinton Properties have therefore asked Cheltenham Borough Council to remove the stipulation but have agreed to place a restriction on the land to limit the amount of land for non-business use.

The removal of the condition is set to be determined by Cheltenham Borough Council planners in December.