Green light given to housing development that will enable local people to stay local in the Cotswold district

Cotswold District Council’s planning committee has given the green light to a 100 per cent affordable housing scheme in Down Ampney.

The development of 13 homes by housing association Bromford, will be built on land next to Down Ampney football club. The new homes will be among the most energy efficient to be built in the district in recent years, thanks to a combination of insulation, solar panels and air source heat pumps that will be fitted to every home.

All of the two and three-bedroom houses will be available as social rent units, with the creation of a play area and open space also included in the plans. A financial contribution will also be made for school transport.

The scheme was approved by Cotswold District Council’s planning committee on Wednesday, March 12.

Cllr Juliet Layton, Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, said: “This scheme is a perfect example of how great partnerships can deliver sustainable development and affordable housing in the Cotswold district, and make a positive difference.

“We have a housing emergency in the UK, and with average house prices almost 14 times the average salary in the Cotswolds, the problem is particularly acute here. We’re committed to delivering more truly affordable homes, and this is exactly the kind of scheme we need to see more of across the district.

“This overgrown, vacant site, which also consists of old lock-up garages, will be repurposed to enable local people on low incomes to stay local in high quality, homes.”

The council worked closely with Bromford – part of Bromford Flagship, one of the largest housing associations in the UK – to bring forward a development that meets the council’s key priority of delivering good quality housing that is genuinely affordable.

Giles Spencer, Senior Land Manager at Bromford, said: “We’re aware there is a lack of affordable homes in villages in the Cotswolds so are pleased to have worked together with Cotswold District Council to get the green light for this development. It means families that might otherwise have been priced out of buying or renting will be able to continue living in the local area.

“The families moving into these new homes will benefit not only from the energy-efficient features we’re installing but also from having a local neighbourhood coach dedicated to getting to know them and working together to help them thrive in Down Ampney. But for now, our focus will be on making all the preparations to allow us to start work on these new homes.”

This development builds on a 2022 collaboration agreement between Bromford and Cotswold District Council to facilitate the development of sustainable, affordable homes in the area.