Bowmer + Kirkland has been appointed to build the first phase of the £1bn Golden Valley development in Cheltenham, with construction expected to start in spring 2026.
The project, a joint venture between Henry Boot subsidiary HBD and Cheltenham Borough Council, will eventually deliver 2,500 homes and 116,000 square metres of commercial space. The wider scheme, adjacent to GCHQ, is intended to create 12,000 jobs and form a national hub for cyber innovation.
The first phase includes two flagship buildings—IDEA, the National Cyber Innovation Centre, and ROUTER, a transport hub integrating smart technology with active travel. IDEA will contain 14,900 square metres of office and event space. ROUTER will support sustainable travel across the 200-hectare site and include leisure, retail and wellbeing facilities.
Enabling works will also be delivered as part of the initial phase to prepare for later development.
The value of the phase one deal has not been disclosed. Construction will begin after outline planning consent was approved for phase one.
Bowmer + Kirkland previously worked with HBD on Island, a £60m net zero carbon office development in Manchester.
The contractor engaged with local community groups, schools and charities early in the tender process, according to Cheltenham Borough Council leader Rowena Hay.
HBD managing director Ed Hutchinson said the scheme would “play a key role in driving innovation across cyber and deep tech industries”.
Bowmer + Kirkland regional construction director Stuart Fanshaw added that the project would help position the UK at the forefront of cyber innovation and deliver social value locally.
Golden Valley is being promoted as a centrepiece of the UK’s secure tech sector, though a main works contractor for future phases has yet to be named.
