PLANS for a care home and residential development on a prime patch of land near Cheltenham town centre could generate about 250 jobs.
Developers have been granted permission to demolish part of the former Chelsea Building Society headquarters, off Thirlestaine Road, and build 147 dwellings in its place.
Planning officers at the borough council approved the scheme his week and work has already got started.
Builders behind the plans, Berkeley Homes and Beechcroft Developments, said it will provide a significant shot in the arm to the town's job market.
Andrew Saunders-Davies, chairman of Berkeley Homes, said: "The scheme will secure the long term future of the hall and the preservation and enhancement of the fabulous landscaped grounds.
"It will generate 65 full time equivalent new jobs.
Construction
"In addition 180 construction jobs will be created during the development of the housing and apartments."
The development will comprise the conversion of the original grade two-listed Thirlstaine Hall into villas and a cottage. It will also include 57 new build apartments and houses, 21 assisted living apartments and a 63 bed care home.
The scheme could take up to three years to complete.
Once building work on the site is finished the care home will be handed over to operator Porthaven Properties Ltd.
Councillor Garth Barnes (LD, College) said the proposals had been well received by residents in the area.
"It is a big piece of land in quite a significant part of the town so it was really important that we got this application right," he said.
"Thankfully, I think we have done that. The developers made a lot of effort to consult with residents and the council and it shows.
"Generally speaking, the new development is keeping the nice elements of the site and getting rid of the grotty 1960s part.
"The site has been empty since last year so it's important to get it back into use.
"Crucially it is going to bring considerable employment back to the area which is a real positive in the current climate."
He said he also hoped parking congestion linked to staff at the former Chelsea headquarters would no longer be a problem.
"Residents experienced considerable problems in the past with parking linked to the previous use of the site, and I'm hopeful the new development will alleviate that," he said.
For years the site was occupied by Chelsea Building Society which merged with the Yorkshire Building Society in 2010.
Chelsea vacated the building in 2011 after some staff were relocated to Charlton Kings and to the Yorkshire Building Society headquarters in Bradford.
