Plans for the second phase of Cheltenham's £1 billion Golden Valley development have been revealed – and its landmark cyber innovation centre has been given a new name.
Cheltenham Borough Council and its developer partner HBD showcased plans for the second phase of development at Cyber UK, the government's annual cyber security event hosted by the National Cyber Security Centre, this May 2025.
The flagship, government-funded Golden Valley project will see an 'internationally significant' hub for cyber, AI, quantum technologies and secure communications developed in Cheltenham on land near GCHQ.
Planning consent for phase one of the project – the landmark, 160,000 sq ft cyber innovation centre – is currently being sought, with construction expected to begin later this year.
And the Golden Valley delegation at Cyber UK revealed that central to the second phase will be the development of the newly named 'I/O Buildings', separately INPUT and OUTPUT, which will provide space for 'leaders and innovators' to work together.
INPUT is intended to 'foster collaboration' between education, business and government, focusing on academia, skills and talent.
The neighbouring OUTPUT will seek to bring together industry peers to 'shape the future' of technology, with space for quiet focus and state-of-the-art facilities for business.
The delegation also revealed that its landmark innovation centre, comprising high-quality office space and
flexible event facilities, will be known as IDEA Innovation
Centre.
Rowena Hay, leader of Cheltenham Borough Council said: 'Cyber UK offered us the perfect opportunity to showcase phase two of Golden Valley, including the naming of the buildings which will form an integral part of the development.'
Ed Hutchinson, managing director of HBD, added: 'Work is due to begin on site later this year so it’s great to be able to share new CGIs of the scheme, including the I/O Buildings within phase two, and bring the development to life.'
Cabinet minister Pat McFadden included the Golden Valley in his keynote address, saying: 'We’re already making some big investments, like the billion pounds going into the new state-of-the-art Golden Valley campus near GCHQ's Cheltenham office.
'That site alone is expected to create 12,000 jobs and be
home to hospitality, retail businesses and 3,700 new homes. It’s all growth.'
