Plans to build 2,135 homes in the picturesque Cotswold town of Moreton-in-Marsh have raised serious concerns among locals after maps showing a proposed bypass “carved through their back gardens” circulated widely on social media.
The district council’s Liberal Democrat leadership has unveiled a draft local plan aiming to accommodate 18,900 new homes across the Cotswolds by 2043. Council leader Mike Evemy (LD, Siddington and Cerney Rural) described the plan as “absolutely vital” to prevent speculative development and to encourage the creation of sustainable, healthy communities.
While the majority of the housing is planned outside the nationally protected landscape-with 90 per cent designated to 10 strategic sites-the scheme has sparked strong opposition in towns like Moreton-in-Marsh, where residents have campaigned against overdevelopment for several years. The town, which currently houses around 5,000 people, faces the prospect of nearly doubling in size.
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Conservative Councillor Daryl Corps, representing Moreton West, voiced serious concerns over the scale of construction. He stated, “Development on that scale would fundamentally alter the size and character of the town.”
A particular point of contention is the proposed multi-modal spine road, which appears to run from the A429, crossing the railway line and River Evenlode, towards new developments east of Moreton. Councillor Corps noted, “This is not a modest road project. With bridges needing construction over a railway and a river, as well as substantial drainage and engineering works, costs could run into hundreds of millions of pounds.”
Residents question whether this road would genuinely relieve existing traffic congestion or simply serve to support the thousands of additional homes planned. Councillor Corps highlighted the distress of locals who woke up to maps showing the bypass passing directly through their gardens, with no prior consultation. “That is no way to treat residents whose homes could be profoundly affected,” he said.
Further criticism has been directed at the local plan’s lack of new employment land. The Cotswold Business Centre risks being surrounded by housing with little room to expand, raising fears that Moreton-in-Marsh could become a larger commuter settlement, exacerbating pressure on local roads.
North Cotswolds MP Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown expressed doubts about meeting the government’s housing target of 18,900 homes and suggested district leaders might do more to oppose such numbers. He remarked, “They appear to be welcoming the development with open arms, which I doubt is the sentiment held by residents, especially in places like Moreton.”
He also stressed the necessity of developing appropriate infrastructure ahead of or alongside housing, including a new secondary school for Moreton, and the importance of ensuring a range of housing types, such as affordable one- and two-bedroom homes, to help younger and elderly residents.
The Liberal Democrat leadership, which has previously labelled the housing target as “moronic,” acknowledges the challenges posed by the increased national housing demand. Councillor Evemy emphasised the need to progress the local plan to regain control over development decisions and infrastructure provision, stating, “Avoiding these difficult choices would not protect the Cotswolds.”
The proposed local plan is set to be reviewed by the overview and scrutiny committee on 3 August, the cabinet on 6 August, and full council on 12 August 2026. If approved, a six-week public consultation will run from 24 August to 5 October, after which the council will consider feedback and may propose further changes for the inspector’s review.