Go-ahead recommended for innovation hub plans

The go-ahead has been recommended for the construction of a new innovation hub, which would provide employment space and a 300-person performance arena in Cheltenham town centre.Workshop Cheltenham is seeking the approval to build a 2,000 sq ft mixed-use innovation centre on an existing car park on Chester Walk.The scheme comprises flexible workspaces including a GFirst LEP growth hub centre, a 300-person capacity performance arena, and community and education spaces.The ground floor will accommodate a reception area, the growth hub, a new headquarters for Cheltenham Festivals and a café.At first floor, a number of open plan co-working areas for small and start-up businesses are proposed, together with larger offices for more mature companies, a training room for small educational events and a number of meeting zones.Additional open plan offices are proposed at second floor level which can be subdivided in response to demand.The proposal is part of a wider Minster Innovation Exchange project, which has recently secured £3.1m via GFirst LEP from Central Government’s Getting Building Fund.The wider scheme will provide for improvements to the adjacent church grounds and help to improve connectivity and increase footfall to The Wilson art gallery and museum, the Library and the Lower High Street.The application site is a Gloucestershire County Council owned parcel of land and is currently in use as a private car park.A report for Cheltenham Borough Council – whose planning committee meets on 20 August – recommends the plans be approved.