Cheltenham Civic Society
@cheltcivicsoc.bsky.social
PROMOTING high architectural and planning standards, PROTECTING features of historic and public interest and EDUCATING on Cheltenham’s heritage.
After the inappropriate ‘dalek litter bins’, we now have inappropriate cycle lockers blighting our conservation area. No thought for aesthetics or DUTY towards the conservation area. We thought Cheltenham BC had grasped the importance of high quality design in the CA.
June 9, 2025 at 10:05 AM
After the inappropriate ‘dalek litter bins’, we now have inappropriate cycle lockers blighting our conservation area. No thought for aesthetics or DUTY towards the conservation area. We thought Cheltenham BC had grasped the importance of high quality design in the CA.
An enviable trait of an architect must be the ability to leave a legacy to future generations, the pinnacle of which might be a building’s eventual listing.
So why are they content to put their names to mediocre rubbish that might not even survive them?
So why are they content to put their names to mediocre rubbish that might not even survive them?
May 17, 2025 at 9:42 AM
An enviable trait of an architect must be the ability to leave a legacy to future generations, the pinnacle of which might be a building’s eventual listing.
So why are they content to put their names to mediocre rubbish that might not even survive them?
So why are they content to put their names to mediocre rubbish that might not even survive them?
Like other significant schemes and sites, we continue to monitor the important Cavendish House site.
We know that @CheltenhamBC has been speaking to owner Canada Life about planning options for at least 4 years so why is an application taking so long? www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/chelten...
We know that @CheltenhamBC has been speaking to owner Canada Life about planning options for at least 4 years so why is an application taking so long? www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/chelten...
Cavendish House owners 'committed' to redevelopment amid concerns over delays
'The slow progress demonstrates the opacity and turgidity of the pre-application process and the owner’s lack of commitment to the town'
www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk
May 1, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Like other significant schemes and sites, we continue to monitor the important Cavendish House site.
We know that @CheltenhamBC has been speaking to owner Canada Life about planning options for at least 4 years so why is an application taking so long? www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/chelten...
We know that @CheltenhamBC has been speaking to owner Canada Life about planning options for at least 4 years so why is an application taking so long? www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/chelten...
Our quarterly newsletter is out and can be viewed here: issuu.com/cheltcivicso...
Includes an update on the Prom’s paving, examination of the s72 duty to conservation areas, English devolution and our latest blue plaque.
Includes an update on the Prom’s paving, examination of the s72 duty to conservation areas, English devolution and our latest blue plaque.
OurTown Issue 38, Spring 2025
The newsletter of the Cheltenham Civic Society
issuu.com
April 30, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Our quarterly newsletter is out and can be viewed here: issuu.com/cheltcivicso...
Includes an update on the Prom’s paving, examination of the s72 duty to conservation areas, English devolution and our latest blue plaque.
Includes an update on the Prom’s paving, examination of the s72 duty to conservation areas, English devolution and our latest blue plaque.
Dutch gables.
April 21, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Dutch gables.
In an attempt to deter people spitting out chewing gum, Cheltenham Borough Council has graffiti-ed the pavements. How is that helping to keep the town looking smart? What message does it send to all the taggers and vandals who damage our town?
April 15, 2025 at 12:42 PM
In an attempt to deter people spitting out chewing gum, Cheltenham Borough Council has graffiti-ed the pavements. How is that helping to keep the town looking smart? What message does it send to all the taggers and vandals who damage our town?
Reposted by Cheltenham Civic Society
🚂 The Society’s Connor McNeill is on BBC TV 1 Politics London on Sun 13th April at 1000hrs. He will be discussing Network Rail’s latest plans for Liverpool Street Station.
#SaveLiverpoolStreetStation #LISSCA #heritage #railwaystations #listedbuildings #architecture #planning #steamtrains
#SaveLiverpoolStreetStation #LISSCA #heritage #railwaystations #listedbuildings #architecture #planning #steamtrains
April 12, 2025 at 10:29 PM
🚂 The Society’s Connor McNeill is on BBC TV 1 Politics London on Sun 13th April at 1000hrs. He will be discussing Network Rail’s latest plans for Liverpool Street Station.
#SaveLiverpoolStreetStation #LISSCA #heritage #railwaystations #listedbuildings #architecture #planning #steamtrains
#SaveLiverpoolStreetStation #LISSCA #heritage #railwaystations #listedbuildings #architecture #planning #steamtrains
Not only is this building on lower High Street inappropriate for the Conservation Area, it is degrading quickly. It’s just 13 years old. How did we get this so wrong?
April 11, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Not only is this building on lower High Street inappropriate for the Conservation Area, it is degrading quickly. It’s just 13 years old. How did we get this so wrong?
The Planning Forum walked round the lower High Street area yesterday. This is the oldest part of town with evidence of burgage plots and an interesting mix of buildings in the Central Conservation Area - and some really charming ones.
April 10, 2025 at 5:21 PM
The Planning Forum walked round the lower High Street area yesterday. This is the oldest part of town with evidence of burgage plots and an interesting mix of buildings in the Central Conservation Area - and some really charming ones.
Reposted by Cheltenham Civic Society
This online talk celebrates one of the finest building materials of the Victorian and Edwardian period. Glazed terracotta or faience was an ideal facing material for Britain’s smoky and sooty cities.
Read more and book your ticket here: bit.ly/3Eq1TmN
#heritage
Read more and book your ticket here: bit.ly/3Eq1TmN
#heritage
April 9, 2025 at 4:04 PM
This online talk celebrates one of the finest building materials of the Victorian and Edwardian period. Glazed terracotta or faience was an ideal facing material for Britain’s smoky and sooty cities.
Read more and book your ticket here: bit.ly/3Eq1TmN
#heritage
Read more and book your ticket here: bit.ly/3Eq1TmN
#heritage
These pictures show a model reinstatement being done outside the Brewery. Note the stone was taken out without damage, set aside carefully, the bollard replaced (so waiting for concrete to set), ready for correct reinstatement. This has been done by a local building company.
April 4, 2025 at 11:41 AM
These pictures show a model reinstatement being done outside the Brewery. Note the stone was taken out without damage, set aside carefully, the bollard replaced (so waiting for concrete to set), ready for correct reinstatement. This has been done by a local building company.
Reposted by Cheltenham Civic Society
The RTPI do some truly outstanding work across the planning profession. However it would be great if, when choosing housing images, they didn’t keep perpetuating the poorly designed crap that guidance and best practice suggests we don’t keep building!
April 2, 2025 at 7:56 PM
The RTPI do some truly outstanding work across the planning profession. However it would be great if, when choosing housing images, they didn’t keep perpetuating the poorly designed crap that guidance and best practice suggests we don’t keep building!
Reposted by Cheltenham Civic Society
👉 Successive governments have blamed the planning system for rationing & slowing the supply of homes.
👉 But the housing crisis is driven overwhelmingly by 2 factors:
🔸 Reduced investment in socially rented homes.
🔸 A failure to focus on effective *delivery mechanisms* rather than planning consents.
👉 But the housing crisis is driven overwhelmingly by 2 factors:
🔸 Reduced investment in socially rented homes.
🔸 A failure to focus on effective *delivery mechanisms* rather than planning consents.
April 2, 2025 at 9:03 AM
👉 Successive governments have blamed the planning system for rationing & slowing the supply of homes.
👉 But the housing crisis is driven overwhelmingly by 2 factors:
🔸 Reduced investment in socially rented homes.
🔸 A failure to focus on effective *delivery mechanisms* rather than planning consents.
👉 But the housing crisis is driven overwhelmingly by 2 factors:
🔸 Reduced investment in socially rented homes.
🔸 A failure to focus on effective *delivery mechanisms* rather than planning consents.
Reposted by Cheltenham Civic Society
Planning 👏 is👏 not👏 the 👏problem 👏
🔗 Craig Bennet, The Guardian: www.theguardian.com/society/2025/apr/01/uk-housebuilders-very-bad-at-building-houses-says-wildlife-charity-ceo
🔗 Craig Bennet, The Guardian: www.theguardian.com/society/2025/apr/01/uk-housebuilders-very-bad-at-building-houses-says-wildlife-charity-ceo
UK housebuilders ‘very bad’ at building houses, says wildlife charity CEO
Land speculation to blame for lack of progress amid Labour drive to build 1.5m new homes, says Wildlife Trusts head
www.theguardian.com
April 2, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Planning 👏 is👏 not👏 the 👏problem 👏
🔗 Craig Bennet, The Guardian: www.theguardian.com/society/2025/apr/01/uk-housebuilders-very-bad-at-building-houses-says-wildlife-charity-ceo
🔗 Craig Bennet, The Guardian: www.theguardian.com/society/2025/apr/01/uk-housebuilders-very-bad-at-building-houses-says-wildlife-charity-ceo
This beautiful building was pulled down in 1968, a victim of a street widening scheme for the benefit of cars. Its replacement doesn’t seem much slimmer so did it really have to go?
April 2, 2025 at 9:51 AM
This beautiful building was pulled down in 1968, a victim of a street widening scheme for the benefit of cars. Its replacement doesn’t seem much slimmer so did it really have to go?
Reposted by Cheltenham Civic Society
OPINION: In picking designers rather than designs, the architectural competition for this new national memorial somehow manages to be less progressive than those of the Victorian era, writes Ike Ijeh
The Queen Elizabeth II Memorial contest fails to reflect a meritocratic Britain
The Queen Elizabeth II Memorial contest fails to reflect a meritocratic Britain
www.architectsjournal.co.uk
March 31, 2025 at 12:45 PM
OPINION: In picking designers rather than designs, the architectural competition for this new national memorial somehow manages to be less progressive than those of the Victorian era, writes Ike Ijeh
We’re pleased common sense has prevailed but one has to ask why Cheltenham keeps finding itself in these situations.
Are we really the only ones who notice the degradation and are prepared to do something about it?
www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/chelten...
Are we really the only ones who notice the degradation and are prepared to do something about it?
www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/chelten...
Decision to halt Cheltenham Promenade tarmac plans hailed as victory
More than 2,000 people opposed the plans which Gloucestershire highways chiefs have now decided to pause and reconsider
www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk
March 29, 2025 at 5:02 PM
We’re pleased common sense has prevailed but one has to ask why Cheltenham keeps finding itself in these situations.
Are we really the only ones who notice the degradation and are prepared to do something about it?
www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/chelten...
Are we really the only ones who notice the degradation and are prepared to do something about it?
www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/chelten...
We’re having a last push before our petition closes on Monday. Please help us reach 2500 signatures by signing then not just sharing, but actively persuading others to sign too.
Love our York stone!
Sign here: chng.it/rXWXbgc5Rc
Love our York stone!
Sign here: chng.it/rXWXbgc5Rc
March 22, 2025 at 10:26 AM
We’re having a last push before our petition closes on Monday. Please help us reach 2500 signatures by signing then not just sharing, but actively persuading others to sign too.
Love our York stone!
Sign here: chng.it/rXWXbgc5Rc
Love our York stone!
Sign here: chng.it/rXWXbgc5Rc
What a beautiful evening!
March 20, 2025 at 9:49 PM
What a beautiful evening!
Reposted by Cheltenham Civic Society
Do you work for a council, landowner or developer trying to improve our streets and squares with urban greenery? Would you like to know more about where and how to 'green up' ? If so then...
March 18, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Do you work for a council, landowner or developer trying to improve our streets and squares with urban greenery? Would you like to know more about where and how to 'green up' ? If so then...
Some of the comments we’ve received from our petition. It seems only Gloucestershire County Council is oblivious to the aesthetic and heritage importance of the York stone on the Promenade.
Sign our petition here: chng.it/kx9dzHFJQS
Sign our petition here: chng.it/kx9dzHFJQS
March 20, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Some of the comments we’ve received from our petition. It seems only Gloucestershire County Council is oblivious to the aesthetic and heritage importance of the York stone on the Promenade.
Sign our petition here: chng.it/kx9dzHFJQS
Sign our petition here: chng.it/kx9dzHFJQS
Reposted by Cheltenham Civic Society
What could the Planning & Infrastructure Bill mean for the new towns? 🏘️
The Bill lays the foundations it's up to Government to put them in the right places and ensure they are the best they can be.
Read our latest blog from @mauricelange.bsky.social 👇
The Bill lays the foundations it's up to Government to put them in the right places and ensure they are the best they can be.
Read our latest blog from @mauricelange.bsky.social 👇
What could the Planning and Infrastructure Bill mean for the new towns? - Centre for Cities
The Planning & Infrastructure Bill lays the foundations for new towns. Now it is up to Government to put them in the right places and ensure that they are the best they can be.
buff.ly
March 19, 2025 at 9:30 AM
What could the Planning & Infrastructure Bill mean for the new towns? 🏘️
The Bill lays the foundations it's up to Government to put them in the right places and ensure they are the best they can be.
Read our latest blog from @mauricelange.bsky.social 👇
The Bill lays the foundations it's up to Government to put them in the right places and ensure they are the best they can be.
Read our latest blog from @mauricelange.bsky.social 👇
Reposted by Cheltenham Civic Society
Take a moment to think about what could replace these bollards.
There's one simple answer...
In many cases, street trees could be planted where bollards are placed and provide a wealth of benefits to local people 🌳🌲
There's one simple answer...
In many cases, street trees could be planted where bollards are placed and provide a wealth of benefits to local people 🌳🌲
March 19, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Take a moment to think about what could replace these bollards.
There's one simple answer...
In many cases, street trees could be planted where bollards are placed and provide a wealth of benefits to local people 🌳🌲
There's one simple answer...
In many cases, street trees could be planted where bollards are placed and provide a wealth of benefits to local people 🌳🌲
Reposted by Cheltenham Civic Society
We're looking for a volunteer board minutes secretary. Full details here on the excellent @reachvolunteering.org.uk website reachvolunteering.org.uk/opp/board-mi...
Board minutes secretary
This Ongoing role vacancy is based in Dorchester, Dorset. Skills required: Office and Administration Management. Volunteer for a small but forward looking charity passionate about a better built envir...
reachvolunteering.org.uk
March 17, 2025 at 11:43 AM
We're looking for a volunteer board minutes secretary. Full details here on the excellent @reachvolunteering.org.uk website reachvolunteering.org.uk/opp/board-mi...