Cotswold District Council publishes additional Local Plan figures to enhance upcoming consultation

Earlier this month, the council published its draft preferred strategy options for future housing development in response to a sharp rise in government-imposed targets for new homes – ahead of a consultation beginning in November. 

Within the preferred development strategy options document, the council set out how many homes could be delivered across the district between now and 2043 – the 18-year Local Plan period – and where, broadly, those homes could go. 

This included 6,820 new homes on “strategic sites”: land that could be available for new homes which would extend existing towns or villages, or see the development of new settlements. This included land around Kemble, Moreton-in-Marsh, Fairford, Driffield, Cirencester, Preston, Siddington and Ampney Crucis. 

Now, to strengthen the upcoming consultation and ensure residents have a full view of the potential development at these broad locations, the council is updating its preferred options consultation document.  

Revisions will show the total estimated number of homes – an additional 7,280 – that could be delivered up to and beyond 2043 on those strategic sites. 

These figures, as shown in the table below, were due to be published in technical evidence documents to support the consultation. But by amending the preferred options consultation document and being transparent about prospective long-term development, residents will now also get an opportunity to have their say on housing delivery and infrastructure beyond 2043. 

“I expect many of you living in or near these strategic areas will be concerned and frustrated, not just about the scale of housing proposed generally, but about ensuring infrastructure is in place before homes are built." - Cllr Mike Evemy 

Cllr Mike Evemy, Leader of Cotswold District Council, said: “Meeting the government’s housing targets in a district so constrained by protected landscapes and limited infrastructure was always going to be a huge challenge. 

“The size of these numbers is hard to come to terms with – and residents living in these strategic areas may be feeling anxious and concerned. We’re making the case to government about the scale of what’s being asked. 

“But it’s imperative that we crack on with updating our Local Plan, to control where development goes in the district and to ensure we get the right infrastructure. 

“I must emphasise that the same caveats as before apply here: these numbers are indicative, subject to consultation, evidence gathering, and infrastructure feasibility.” 

While only homes delivered by 2043 count towards the government’s target, publishing the full potential development of these broad strategic locations allows for early conversations about roads, schools, healthcare, and other essential services. 

This approach mirrors successful past practice, such as at The Steadings in Cirencester, where long-term housing delivery was planned alongside upfront infrastructure investment. 

"This longer-term view will help us plan properly and lead to a more informed consultation, allowing residents to share their views on development and infrastructure beyond 2043.” - Cllr Mike Evemy

Cllr Evemy said: “I expect many of you living in or near these strategic areas will be concerned and frustrated, not just about the scale of housing proposed generally, but about ensuring infrastructure is in place before homes are built.  

“That’s why we’re being clearer now about the full potential of strategic sites. This longer-term view will help us plan properly and lead to a more informed consultation, allowing residents to share their views on development and infrastructure beyond 2043.” 

A meeting of the council’s Cabinet to consider the revised documents will take place on 6th November. The Overview & Scrutiny Committee will meet on the afternoon of 5th November. 

The consultation will now commence on November 14th, just over a week later than previously stated to enable due democratic process. 

This all follows the government doubling the Cotswold district’s housing target, requiring it to plan for 1,036 homes per year, or 18,660 homes between now and 2043.  

Last week, Cllr Evemy wrote to the new Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, inviting him to see the challenge these new targets pose to a district where over 80 per cent of the land is designated as National Landscape, while renewing calls for a rethink around the numbers.