Council grants ‘Bond-villain lair’ on reservoir site
Cheltenham Borough Council have given the greenlight for Taller Developments to construct a ‘Bond-villain lair’ style home on a derelict reservoir.
Proposals for the site include developing the redundant former Severn Trent Water subterranean reservoir into a contemporary six-bed home. The property will sit below the surface of the existing buried structure and will be accessed via the existing access point to the site, from Leckhampton Road.
On the surface, plans for the new property replicate that of a Cluedo home – it is set to include five bathrooms, a kitchen, dining room, living room, gym, games room, study and a wine store and that is just the inside. Outside, the plans continue with a swimming pool, outdoor seating area, external courtyards along with a garden, pond and three space garage.
Cheltenham Architects Panel meeting agreed the design was interesting but have claimed some amendments were needed before they would be willing to except the full scheme.
Martin Horwood, ward councillor, has also expressed concerns about the new plans. He has expressed concern over the risk a new access point would cause to highways safety, though he also acknowledged it is an impressive design.
‘I’ve heard it compared to a Bond-villain lair, which may be a bit unfair, but honestly I would rather have that than a boring box,’ Wood said. ‘I also appreciate the efforts made to adapt to both the unusual setting and the landscape particularly through the use of green roofs.’
Wood added: ‘My main concern is about road safety. Sports bikes and cars descend the hill very fast and there have been multiple accidents here.
‘There’s a real risk of someone being killed or injured.’
According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), the scheme has been in the making for the past two years and has involved proactive engagement with the planning and highways authorities.
Gary Dickens, of LDRS, has also assured people the development will not have any greater impact on the Green Belt or Cotswold area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) as it will sit within an existing structure.
Image: Taller Developments
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