Rear car park of historic building could be turned into striking contemporary house

Cheltenham: Exciting news! There’s a plan to build a modern home where the old car park used to be behind Sandford Park House. This historic building was once the county council’s social services office.

After 25 years of serving as offices, the main house is now being transformed into eight apartments. It’s a beautiful early 19th-century structure that was originally two homes before becoming offices.

Initially, the redevelopment of the car park was part of the original plans, but it got left out later. Now, there’s a fresh push to create a stylish private home in that space.

A planning application has been submitted to Cheltenham Borough Council, and folks can check it out and share their thoughts.

According to the design team, Coombes Everitt Architects Limited, the area has several listed buildings, with Sandford Park House being the most prominent. Plus, it’s in a Conservation Area, which adds to its charm.

The proposal aims to blend the new home with the existing neighborhood, which features smaller, traditional mews-style houses. The current car park doesn’t really fit in, so this redevelopment could really enhance the area.

The new plan focuses on creating a single dwelling instead of the three mews cottages that were initially suggested. This change is all about making the most of the space while keeping the character of the area intact.

Access to the new home will be from Keynshambury Road, maintaining the current entry points. They plan to replace the old boundary hedge with a new brick wall that matches the style of the earlier conversion.

There will be a private courtyard with parking for two cars and a lovely garden wrapping around the house. The design includes soft landscaping and a mix of hard surfaces, ensuring it looks great while being functional.

It’s a fantastic opportunity to breathe new life into the area while respecting its history. Exciting times ahead for Cheltenham!