Plans for the first phase of The Forum, an £85m digital quarter in the Kings Quarter area of Gloucester city centre, have been given the go-ahead
Phase one of The Forum, the new mixed-use urban environment being developed by Gloucester City Council in partnership with Reef Group, has now been granted planning consent.
The initial phase will see the creation of 43 apartments with views to the cathedral, along with retail space set to be occupied by Tesco.
In a further important step forward for the development, detailed planning for the second phase of the development has been submitted to the council.
The second phase includes more than 125,000 sq ft of new office space, with a shared workspace club and an innovation hub designed for emerging cyber businesses and incubator businesses.
The office space will sit alongside a 131-bedroom four-star hotel, a 9,000 sq ft gym, restaurants and bars.
‘Revitalise a key, but formerly tired, area of the city centre’
Councillor Richard Cook, leader of Gloucester City Council, said: “This is a very important milestone for this ambitious scheme, which will revitalise a key, but formerly tired, area of the city centre.
“Together with the rejuvenated Kings Square, and its attractive places to eat, drink and shop for residents and visitors, The Forum will bring in major occupiers and significant investors to the city and cement Gloucester’s reputation as a thriving and vibrant destination to work, live and visit.”
Esther Croft, development director at Reef Group, added: “Submitting Phase Two of The Forum for detailed planning is a hugely important step towards making our vision of a thriving new digital campus for Gloucester a reality.
“It is set to be one of the UK’s first truly integrated digital communities, with the space and infrastructure to create a seamless link between city centre living and working.
“Gaining planning consent for Phase One is also a significant milestone to reach, and we look forward to selecting a contractor with an aim to starting work on site in 2021.”
Work on the first phase is expected to start in the spring.
