Major funding boost for Cheltenham’s £1 billion cyber development

The government has pledged to provide £20m for a £1bn cyber centre.

The Golden Valley Development will be built on land next to GCHQ in Cheltenham and aims to establish the city as Britain’s cyber capital.

Cheltenham Borough Council had provisionally secured the funding in the third round of the previous government’s Leveling Up Fund, but confirmation that the money would be awarded under the new government’s plans came after the October 30 Budget.

The development is expected to create 12,000 new jobs and more than 1,000 homes.

The confirmation allows the municipality to begin drawing down the financing to continue the first phase of the development.

A letter from Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said the Government would protect projects managed by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government ‘announced in the first to third rounds of the Leveling Up Fund, recognizing that many of these projects will unlock vital local growth. and regeneration across the country”.

Rowena Hay, leader of Cheltenham Borough Council, said: “(The centre) will be a national asset that has the potential to build on Cheltenham’s position as a world leader in technology and safety.

“Now we have confirmation that we can continue to realize Golden Valley Development’s vision and ambition and we look forward to working closely with all stakeholders to bring this transformative project to life.”

In June, developer Henry Boot confirmed that architect Sheppard Robson will lead the second phase of the scheme, which will see two buildings designed.