Cotswold District Council statement on approval of housing development outside Cirencester

The planned development off Kingshill Lane, near Preston, will include 112 affordable homes and was agreed in outline in a 6-3 vote at the council’s planning committee on Wednesday (11 June).   

The application was approved following significant changes to housing targets by the national government, which has more than doubled the number of homes that need to be built in the Cotswolds district.  

Cllr Juliet Layton said: “We’re pleased that this new development will provide a much-needed boost to affordable housing in the Cotswolds. Delivering genuinely affordable homes that help people stay local remains one of Cotswold District Council’s top priorities.   

"We also recognise, however, that the planning committee’s decision to approve this application may cause concern or disappointment for some local residents — especially given that a near-identical proposal was refused just two years ago.  

"We hope that current and future residents can benefit from the inclusion of new cycle paths and pedestrian routes linking to the local schools, as well as a clear commitment to providing green space for the community.  We also note that a key consideration was leaving enough open space between the proposed development and the village of Preston to help retain Preston’s rural character. 

"But the scheme was approved this time because the reality is the planning landscape has changed significantly. In December, the government introduced major new national housing targets as part of its pledge to deliver 1.5 million new homes by 2029. As a result, the number of houses we are legally obliged to build in the district more than doubled, practically overnight.  

"This means planning decisions must now be approached differently. While we previously rejected the Kingshill application because it was not in our local plan, the need to find sites for an additional 1,036 homes a year across the district now outweighs that.   

"And while the council can still choose to refuse applications, doing so in cases like this could lead to the decision being overturned on appeal — often at significant cost to the taxpayer.  

"Faced with this reality, we believe it is more responsible to approve an application of high-quality homes now, than to risk a costly and ultimately unsuccessful appeal process later.  

"These new targets do not mean unchecked development. Each application will continue to be rigorously assessed to ensure it meets appropriate planning criteria.   

"And I want to reassure residents that we’re working closely with developers to ensure that vital infrastructure – including roads, schools, healthcare services, and sewerage – is delivered to service the new homes and make improvements to the local area where there are opportunities to do so.   

"Our aim is to create well-planned, sustainable communities, with climate-friendly, affordable homes, from the outset, while protecting the character of the area and the quality of life for existing residents.”