Recently, I have been thinking about New Year’s resolutions. Some of the promises we make to ourselves can be life-changing if we stick to them, while others will fall by the wayside for another year as routine sets back in.

One resolution that I am determined our council continues to strive for, is our commitment to building new homes for our residents.

In the summer of last year, I explained how CBC’s Major Developments Team play a hands-on role in delivering essential affordable housing in the borough and that the new development at 320 Swindon Road will provide much-needed social rented and shared-ownership homes.

Ground was broken at the Swindon Road site, which is in the St Paul’s area of Cheltenham, last November (which already feels a long time ago!) and the process of creating new homes is underway.

Designed to offer a high level of environmental sustainability

What is particularly special about this development is that the new properties have been designed to offer the individuals and families living in them a high level of environmental performance and sustainability. The properties will include solar panels, ground source heat pumps and are being built using low-carbon construction methods. All of this contributes to our Pathway to Net Zero commitments to the benefit of residents and the planet.

The £6.2m construction phase of these affordable and high-quality homes comes with a commitment to bring ‘social value’ to the area by providing employment for local people and continuing to support apprenticeship opportunities already in place for local students. Over the coming months, representatives from the council and our contractor, Speller Metcalfe, will be volunteering at community projects and charities, as well as visiting local schools, hoping to inspire future generations to care for the environment.

So, whether you have the willpower to see your resolution through or you’ve already broken yours by reaching for the chocolate biscuits, you can be sure that Cheltenham Borough Council will continue to support the building of new homes for our town.