Plans to provide much-needed new homes in Hatherley on Cheltenham’s south-west fringe are unveiled this week by housebuilder Cotswold Homes.

An exclusively private development of just nine three-bedroom homes will occupy the site of the former garage in Alma Road which closed a few years ago.

Building work on the semi-detached and terraced homes is already underway at Cotswold Grange, as the new scheme has been named. The first properties will be available in the summer, reports Terri Hayes-Pugh, head of sales and marketing at Cotswold Homes.

She added: ‘It’s good to be back in Cheltenham where local people were quick to snap up the homes on our earlier Prestbury Mews development on the edge of the town’s Pittville area. Those who get in early to make off-plan reservations at Cotswold Grange will be able to personalise their homes with a variety of finishes for kitchens, tiling and flooring.’

A major factor in the success of Cotswold Homes’ developments across the region is the firm’s no-hidden-extras policy whereby the purchase price includes the ‘big five’ fully-integrated Smeg appliances – oven, hob with a feature hood, fridge-freezer, washer-drier and integrated dishwasher – as well as a number of standard features. They range from semi-pedestal basins to maximise floor space in bathrooms to chrome towel rails and contemporary vinyl flooring as well as stylish fixtures and fittings.

Current demand for property in the area is particularly strong as there are many schools nearby. They include two co-educational secondaries – Bournside School and Sixth Form Centre and the public school Dean Close – as well as a number of primaries less than a mile away.

This month at Andrews’ 176 Bath Road office would-be buyers can inspect the proposed site layout, house-plans and choice of finishes on offer, helping them to make aspects of their homes bespoke.