Communities are key: Cotswold District Council urges engagement with Local Plan at packed town and parish council forum

The options for where these homes could be built, including Cotswold District Council’s “preferred option” which would deliver 14,660 new houses, were set out at the meeting.  

This was the first of two events for town and parish councillors and clerks, hosted by Cotswold District Council to help community leaders understand the importance of engaging with its Local Plan consultation, which opens for public comment on 14 November. A second meeting will be held in Cirencester next week. 

More than 60 attendees at the Moreton event heard from Cllr Mike Evemy, leader of the council, Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning Cllr Juliet Layton, and members of the council’s planning team. Opening the meeting, Cllr Evemy outlined the significant challenge set by the government, which has more than doubled the number of homes the district must plan for. 

This presents a particular difficulty in the Cotswolds, where more than 80 per cent of the land is protected National Landscape, making it especially hard to find suitable locations for development. 

To meet this challenge, Cllr Evemy said the council must explore every possible option for identifying appropriate sites. But, acknowledging the anxiety the housing plans may be causing, he emphasised his support for communities and urged councillors to take the message back to residents that their concerns were being heard. 

“This was a productive and engaging meeting, with lots of great questions. It was also another very clear signal to us around how our communities feel about the practicalities of the unrealistic housing targets being imposed on the district by government, and the challenges we have in meeting them. We need to work as one community in the face of those targets,” he said.  

One question centred around how people can best influence the Local Plan via the consultation when it opens next week. 

Cllr Evemy reflected: “This was a particularly good question – and I strongly encourage people to take part in the consultation and share their views. It will be most helpful to get feedback on matters of public interest, such as effect on amenity, issues around highways, environmental impact, economic benefit, housing need and community facilities, and more.  

“While residents can respond however they like, it’s important that representation focuses, as far as possible on these sorts of planning issues. Officers can and will consider these sorts of ‘material’ points as the plan continues to take shape in the coming months.” 

Plans for development beyond 2043 were also discussed. These set out how an additional 7,280 homes could be built after the formal end of the Local Plan period in seven strategic sites. These include in Moreton-in-Marsh where – under current proposals – an additional 3,970 homes, including 1,710 before 2043, may be delivered. 

Publishing these extra plans will encourage early conversations about what supporting infrastructure is needed – one of the key points raised during the meeting. 

Other key concerns raised and addressed included the importance of the right homes in the right places, including affordable housing for social rent. 

Cllr Evemy added: “I’m very grateful to everyone who attended and contributed, it’s a vital part of the consultation process to hear directly from our communities. I look forward to our forum in Cirencester next week.” 

There will be opportunities for the wider community to find out more about the Local Plan at upcoming public exhibitions. These are taking place on the following dates:  

• Friday 28 Nov: King George’s Hall, Mickleton, 2–7pm  

• Friday 5 Dec: St David’s Centre, Moreton, 2–7pm  

• Thursday 11 Dec: Fairford Community Centre (Farmor Room), 2–7pm  
• Thursday 18 Dec: Corinium Museum (Winstone Room), Cirencester, 2–7pm 

Meanwhile members of the public can keep up-to-date with the latest information on the council’s website, social media pages, and newsletters.