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?

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...

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.

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?

🚂 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

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.

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

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.

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!

👉 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.

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

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?

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...

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

What a beautiful evening!

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

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 👇

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 🌳🌲

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...

Over 1000 signatures demonstrates the public interest in the Promenade and especially the threat from a complacent Highway Authority that wants to rip up the Yorkstone and tarmac it instead. Please add your signature and share with friends and family: chng.it/kx9dzHFJQS

“Hundreds back call to halt plan to tarmac Cheltenham's iconic Prom.” Actually, it’s almost 1,000! You can sign here: chng.it/kx9dzHFJQS www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/chelten...

The Victorian is out now dedicated to West Yorkshire! Our members have just taken delivery of the March edition of our magazine. It is part of the Society's membership benefits, and comes out three times a year. Join the Society to receive your copy bit.ly/3OnP6mx #WestYorkshire #heritage

Enjoyed visiting Nothe Fort run by #Weymouth Civic Society this afternoon with chair James Farquharson. They passed the 100,000 visitor mark in 2024. Great example of a civic society protecting heritage, engaging community and making it pay. Much to learn. #MakingPlacesGreatTogether

Worcester can do it. Bath can do it. Even Cirencester can do it - properly laid, properly maintained, appropriate town centre paving in historic settings. So why can’t Cheltenham do it? Please sign our petition here: www.change.org/p/preserve-t...

If you think deregulating #planning will result in the #homes the country needs, see below. 'Permitted development rights' mean that new homes can be created without proper planning permission - and some of the results are shockingly bad. Join the TCPA to help to change this.

Love it! www.archdaily.com/1027716/hote...

This looks great! Really good to hear younger voices sharing their research and ideas.

The state of the Promenade’s paving isn’t a recent concern. Gloucestershire County Council’s neglect of the Promenade has been evident for years: see pics. Note their reinstatements consistently fail, not the whole area. Please sign the petition here: chng.it/kx9dzHFJQS