A crucial week for the Golden Valley Development?
Gloucestershire flagship £1blln Golden Valley development hinges on finding £334 million to improve junction 10 of the M5. It might be about to do just that!
Dear readers,
My apologies for sending the first edition of the week a day late. Lots of stuff afoot, and a decision to change the story at the last minute is my excuse!
Today we are very pleased to share the news about more growth at one of our Founding Partners (the businesses that make possible The Raikes Journal) and a line of senior appointments Willans has made as it continues to develop both its staff and its business.
Congratulations to everyone named in the story below.
We run our usual briefing notes, today about Gloucesteshire Airport, about how Julian Dunkerton is getting the blame for setting a planning precedent for other Cheltenham eateries to exploit, and about expansion plans at a Five Valleys food hall.
But the main story is all about the Golden Valley. We suspect this could be a very big week indeed for those behind the development. Certainly last week delivered a pretty big windfall to edge it closer to the start line.
We hope you enjoy it. Have a great week.
Best regards,
Andrew Merrell (editor).
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Growth triggers promotions at law firm
Following a further year of growth at Willans LLP, the Cheltenham solicitors has announced a round of seven promotions across the firm.
Bridget Redmond, Willans’ managing partner, said: “We’re fortunate to have a number of talented lawyers at Willans; many of whom are recognised annually by national independent legal guides.
“They all share our commitment to providing exceptional and personal client service, and I’m delighted to congratulate the seven lawyers mentioned on their well-earned promotions.”
In the wills, trusts and probate team, solicitor Leah Vincent is promoted to associate, while chartered legal executives, Susie Clay and Siân Devereux-Renny become senior associate and associate respectively. The department – one of the largest in the area – is highly rated by national guide, The Legal 500 and headed up by partner, Simon Cook.
Solicitor Joeli Boxall is promoted to associate in the family law team and solicitor Kristie Silsby becomes a senior associate. Both Boxall and Silsby, alongside head of department Sharon Giles and partner Jonathan Eager, support clients with matters including divorce, finances and pre-nuptial agreements.
After nine consecutive years in the top tier for Cheltenham and the surrounding areas, the team achieved a South West ranking in The Legal 500 for the first time in 2025.
In the residential property team’s Dorcas Guillebaud and the real estate team’s Nancy Battell become senior associate solicitors, and will continue supporting clients with their residential and commercial property needs, both locally and nationally.
The promotions follow the appointment of four new partners in the past 12 months, taking its total count to 22 and staff numbers to 120. The firm is recognised as a top-tier law firm by Lexcel – the Law Society’s quality mark for client care, compliance and legal practice management.
Internationally recognised legal guide Chambers UK (2025 edition) ranked five of Willans’ departments and nine lawyers for their expertise, knowledge and level of service. The Legal 500 (2025) also recommended 24 of Willans’ lawyers across multiple departments.
Your briefing notes…
🛫Gloucestershire Airport’s managing director Jason Ivey has dispelled concerns small operators are being “pushed away” and “the site will be sold for housing”. A decision on the sale of the Staverton airport, which is jointly owned by Cheltenham Borough and Gloucester City Council, is due late in June. More here.
☕ An “ironic” precedent set by Cheltenham planners in approving plans for a pergola outside Julian Dunkerton’s restaurant and bar, 131 The Promenade, is being blamed for another proposed ‘development’ outside what is possibly the spa town’s most iconic building. The Cheltenham Trust wants permission to change the use of the land outside the grade I listed 1830 Pittville Pump Room building to allow for a temporary cafe to serve hot and cold food and drink. More here.
🥖🫓🥐 Expansion plans for popular Stroud Food Hall businesses: Stroud’s Five Valleys Food Hall has announced expansion plans for one of the centre’s original traders and a brand-new location for one of the newest – marking a further investment in the busy town centre venue. The award-winning Artisan Baker, owned by Ori Hellerstein, is expanding into the neighbouring unit previously occupied by Los Cubanos, which will relocate to a new purpose-built market unit. More here.
Diary dates…
Tuesday 20 May
🥐☕ Meet at Stroud Growth Hub for this social brunch for start-ups from 9.30am to 11am today. South Gloucestershire and Stroud College (SGS) Stratford Road, GL5 4AH. More here.
Wednesday
🧑💬 Networking organisation the BNI is building a new group in Cirencester aimed at business people in the town and the surrounding area. Arrive at Watermoor Point 15 minutes before the 9.30am start. More here.
Thursday
🏘️🏗️ The Property Forum stages its latest event - The Road Ahead for Rental. Experts from Willans solicitors, Hazlewoods, KoMo Properties and Move Sales & Lettings will be on the panel. Due to take place at Clockwise Cheltenham, the co-working and office space in Jessop Avenue, from 9am. More here.
🏏Cheltenham BID is staging a networking event that turns the spotlight on Cheltenham Cricket Festival. Join the business improvement district and its members at the Copa (66 Regent Street) for networking and chance to meet Mark Alleyne MBE, head coach at Gloucestershire County Cricket Club. From 4pm t 8pm. More here.
Friday
🧑💬 Talk Business Women Brunch at The Ivy in Cheltenham. Meet fellow businesswomen from Gloucestershire at this relaxed networking event. From 10am to 11.30. More here.
Diary dates extra…
If you need to know about licences for overseas staff you need to know about this!
We wanted to flag this webinar a week ahead so you’re aware - as you need to register (it’s on 12 June). Last year’s went down well and now the team from Willans, led by solicitor Klára Grmelová from the firm’s employment law and business immigration team, is back with an update on ‘sponsor licence essentials for employers’. If you have overseas staff, you may really need to know about this.
It will cover the latest changes in UKVI guidance, discuss the impacts this may have on your organisation and what you need to know when employing non-UK workers.
Topics covered will include the benefits of becoming a sponsor, what to consider when employing a non-UK worker, your duties and compliance as a sponsor, changes in UKVI guidance, how to obtain a sponsor licence and an interactive Q&A. It’s aimed at directors (CEO, MD, FD), business owners, HR professionald and in-house legal advisors. From 10am to 11.30am. Register here.
* The Raikes Journal is a digital magazine and community interest company whose supporters believe, like us, that journalism about Gloucestershire is worth keeping alive. Everything you read here - original stories about our county - is made possible by our incredible Founding Partners: QuoLux, Willans LLP, Gloucestershire College, Merrell People and Randall & Payne; our sponsors, Founding Members and wonderful paying subscribers.
If you upgrade to paid you’ll be part of this CIC too. We’re dedicated to championing the county, its businesses, charities, education and training providers, and to creating an even stronger community. If you upgrade to paid you’ll be able to see past the paywalls often put on our 2cnd and 3rd email editions of the week, that lock our archive after two weeks and our Top 100 Businesses in Gloucestershire series. You’ll be able to comment on our stories too.
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A crucial week for the Golden Valley Development?
Gloucestershire flagship £1blln Golden Valley development hinges on finding £334 million to improve junction 10 of the M5. It might be about to do just that!
By Andrew Merrell.
It’s billed as a scheme that will deliver £1 billion of investment into Gloucestershire; a once in a lifetime project of that will shape the county’s economic future, creating hundreds of jobs and more.
The Golden Valley will deliver 3,700 new homes and one million sq ft of commercial space, designed for businesses across key tech sectors such as cybersecurity, AI, and more — all just 100 metres from GCHQ’s iconic ‘doughnut’ building.
But while the land has been bought, the plans are in the system, and a first tenant for the technology-focused business park is already lined up, the elephant in the room rarely gets a mention.
With a prize so big, it’s perfectly understandable why no one involved has made a point of reminding us that it all hinges on finding the small matter of £334 million to improve junction 10 of the M5 and nearby transport issues.
Progress towards that figure has actually been impressive, which is probably another reason for the lack of apparent anxiety.
This time last year £249 million had already been secured through housing infrastructure funding and £4 million from the county council, and we were told “work was underway” to identify similar opportunities.
At the time that left an £81.1m funding gap.
Shortly afterwards Cheltenham Borough Council’s cabinet confirmed it would be targeting money from 106 agreements, the terms which oblige developers to contribute to infrastructure projects when schemes are agreed.
And then as of last week, not only did one of those major opportunities come up for a decision with council’s planning committees, but it was approved too. With another sizeable contribution pending as a result.
And, if you looked carefully at what was said during discussions around the development, it looks like the Government might be about to deliver some very good news indeed - perhaps even to square the circle entirely.
If that happens, and it might happen this week, it really would be a genuine reason for the champagne to come out for everyone on the Golden Valley team.
Here’s the pieces of the jigsaw as we know them.
Last week’s debates at Cheltenham Borough Council and Tewkebury Borough Council which went in favour of the controversial 4,000-plus homes development Elms Park to the North West of Cheltenham (near junction 10) delivered the first pieces of evidence.
As councillors weighed up what to do about potential traffic issues raise by objectors, chairman Garth Barnes (LD, College), said: “This is going to be adding a bonus to our economy in Cheltenham. The fact we are going to get a contribution to the M5 junction 10 is hugely important.
“Without this scheme that would be doubtful.”
He was referring to the section 106 agreements in place between Bloor Homes, Persimmon Homes and the borough council.
Rob White, agent for the developers, confirmed that money would be forthcoming.
“Elms Park will also make a significant contribution to the M5 junction 10 shortfall funding,” he said.
Which led Cllr Tony Oliver (LD, Warden Hill) to ask if there was any indication as to when funding for the junction 10 improvements would be confirmed?
Borough council officers told the meeting there could be an announcement as soon as this week. Was he taling about the remaining funding coming from Government?
On hearing this Raikes asked the council direct whether it understood correctly. Was it really expecting good news this week?
We were sent this statement.
Cllr Mike Collins, cabinet member for planning and building control for Cheltenham Borough Council, said “With the date of the Secretary of State’s decision on M5 Junction 10 imminent, Cheltenham as local planning authority continues to work with Gloucestershire County Council on successful delivery.
“In March 2025, this included an award of funding of up to £10 million made by the community infrastructure levy joint committee and where appropriate negotiating funding through developments via section 106 agreements.
“The recent planning consent granted by both Cheltenham and Tewkesbury planning committees for Elms Park at north west Cheltenham demonstrates this ongoing commitment with a £20 million planning obligation contribution secured.
“This is a step forward for M5 Junction 10 which will benefit the many large developments in the region, which include Golden Valley and the wider West Cheltenham developments - which will be presented to planning committee summer/autumn 2025.
“Delivery of M5 Junction 10 is a missing part of the puzzle of this national infrastructure and brings benefits for Cheltenham both in terms of facilitating the strategic allocations of the Gloucester, Cheltenham and Tewkesbury Joint Core Strategy alongside releasing the pressure of existing congestion, this will be significant for our businesses and communities”.