Cheltenham, a town long celebrated for its spa heritage, regency architecture, and vibrant racecourse, is now shifting toward a digital future. The £95 million Golden Valley cyber park project aims to transform it into the UK’s cyber security capital. Located next to GCHQ, the government’s core cyber defence agency, the development puts Cheltenham at the centre of Britain’s growing digital economy.
This cyber park forms part of the broader Golden Valley initiative. The 116-acre project brings together £1 billion in public and private investment. Local councils, central government, and private developers have joined forces to bring this vision to life. If the council approves the application this summer, construction could start as early as October.
The project extends far beyond digital infrastructure. It includes 3,700 new homes, including 1,000 eco-friendly units. It also introduces a new primary school, green public spaces, sports facilities, and community hubs. The National Cyber Innovation Centre will anchor the development and provide dedicated space for cyber training, research, and business collaboration. Universities, tech firms, and educational institutions can rent space to foster development and exchange knowledge.
Developers expect the park to create around 12,000 jobs over the next 10 to 15 years. This growth will inject new energy into Cheltenham’s economy. To prepare the next generation of talent, HBD and Factory—responsible for the first phase—partnered with local universities and colleges. They also fund digital workshops in primary schools to strengthen digital literacy from a young age.
Infrastructure in the area has already seen significant upgrades. For example, Cheltenham expanded lanes at the Arle Court Roundabout and M5 junction 11 to improve traffic flow. Planners are working on a new motorway junction as well. In the town centre, the Minster Exchange opened last year as a £9.2 million workspace for tech companies.
Meanwhile, Gloucester is building The Forum—a £107 million tech campus that aims to create 1,500 jobs. At the same time, the University of Gloucestershire launched a £5.8 million cyber and digital centre to support advanced training and education in the field.
Ed Hutchinson, Managing Director of HBD, believes Golden Valley will drive national innovation. He said the site will give leaders from academia, government, and industry a space to collaborate in ways that traditional offices can’t support. The environment will break down silos and help teams work more efficiently on cutting-edge technology.
Ultimately, Cheltenham’s Golden Valley cyber park signals a new chapter for the town. With a strong talent base, improved infrastructure, and long-term investment, Cheltenham stands ready to lead the UK’s cyber and AI future.
