Housing New lease of life for eyesore shopping centre
THE site of a former shopping centre which had become an eyesore has been transformed with the completion of a housing estate.
The former Springbank shopping centre had become one of Cheltenham’s most notorious grot spots.
Its plight was even raised in Parliament by the town’s MP Alex Chalk.
But the area has undergone a transformation with the creation of the Newlands Gardens development.
And houses have been snapped up with only three remaining on the market.
Mr Chalk, who used the site as an example when raising the issue of eyesores in the Commons, praised the development.
He said: “Newland Gardens is a hugely successful development that breathes life back into the area and replaces an eyesore that was dragging the area down.
“The completion of this high-quality
and sympathetic development is great news for Cheltenham and Springbank.”
Part of the estate has been named Morris Walk after former Cheltenham Borough Council member and town mayor John Morris, who promoted the vision to turn around Springbank.
Councillor Suzanne Williams (LD, Springbank) said: “This site was important to John Morris, a former colleague of mine.
“He would have been very pleased to see how amazingly different it is now. The area looks fabulous.
“On behalf of John and my colleague Peter Jeffries, I would like to wish the new residents a happy time as members of our community.”
Jeremy Drew, design director for developers Newland Homes, said: “Newland Gardens is an example of how high-quality homes that meet the needs of local people and the local area can be brought forward by working collaboratively with local stakeholders, the council and our MP.
“Everyone has contributed towards its success and we’re proud to show it off.
“The result is first rate as was promised from the beginning.
“Demolition is now complete on our latest site in Cheltenham, off Prestbury Road, and we look forward to replicating our success there.”
Andy Hayes, of the Hester’s Way Partnership, said: “The last 10 to 12 years have been transformative for Springbank and this is the last piece of the jigsaw.
“The former shopping centre area had always struggled and this blighted, forgotten area had ended up separating the communities around it.
“Now, with Newland Gardens they have all been brought together and all the ‘no-go’ areas have been removed.
“Over the years a number of developers have looked at the site but failed to resolve it until Newland Homes came and were able to figure out how to make this work for everyone.”