Plans to construct 60 new homes on over 8 acres of agricultural land in the Cotswold village of Willersey have been postponed due to serious worries about the village’s sewage system and highway safety. The proposed site lies east of Willersey Business Park, and the developer, the Diocese of Gloucester, faces growing opposition from residents and local officials alike.
At the Cotswold District Council planning meeting on June 10, members heard from residents like Alastair McGrigor, who highlighted the urgent infrastructure challenges. Severn Trent Water has acknowledged that the existing sewage system cannot adequately serve current homes, let alone the additional demand from new development. Residents have reportedly endured up to a foot of sewage flooding their streets, manhole covers being displaced, and human waste contaminating their gardens.
Mr. McGrigor emphasized the need for preemptive infrastructure upgrades before any new homes are occupied—calling for grampian conditions similar to those applied at nearby Folly View, which require essential services to be resolved in advance.
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Ward councillor Tom Stowe echoed these concerns, describing the village’s drainage system as “totally broken,” with no viable plan to fix it. He warned that further development would exacerbate the issue, leaving residents unable to safely use basic facilities for days. He also raised major safety issues regarding road access from the B4632, urging either deferral of the proposal or the imposition of stricter highway conditions.
Kevin O’Donoghue, clerk of Willersey Parish Council, noted that current planning approvals would increase the village population by a quarter and requested more evidence before advancing the application. He also cited potential noise problems from the adjacent industrial park and questioned the status of the land as open space, stressing the need for developer contributions.
During the session, several councillors expressed grave concerns about highway safety. Cllr Michael Vann recounted witnessing speeding on the nearby bend during a site visit, deeming the prospect of residential housing there “unthinkable” without proper road improvements. Cllrs Patrick Coleman and Paul Evans shared similar fears, with Evans describing a near accident involving a large truck speeding out of the village.
Although highways officers assured the committee that the proposed access is safe, Cllr Julia Judd proposed deferring the decision pending a further site inspection by highways experts. The proposal was unanimously supported, with Cllr Coleman suggesting the Diocese of Gloucester is unlikely to object to a short delay in proceedings.
Ultimately, the committee voted unanimously to defer the housing plans, signaling a need to resolve critical infrastructure and safety issues before development can proceed.