Plans to build approximately 7,600 new homes in and around Cirencester have prompted questions about whether the local transport corridors, particularly the A417 and A419, can handle the increased traffic.
Cotswold District Council is currently developing its new local plan, which outlines where new housing developments will occur up to 2043. The plan aims to identify sites for a total of 18,900 homes, with ten strategic locations expected to accommodate 90 per cent of this growth.
Among these strategic sites is Driffield, where proposals include constructing 1,090 homes over the plan period, alongside new facilities such as a primary school, employment areas, and a local centre. Future plans suggest this number could potentially rise to 2,220 homes.
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Residents have voiced concerns regarding how the substantial increase in housing near Cirencester might impact the capacity of the A417 and A419 roads. One attendee at a recent planning meeting highlighted that the neighbouring Stroud district’s draft local plan had already raised issues about congestion at junctions 12 and 14 on the M5, asking if similar assessments had been carried out for the Cotswold corridor.
The resident noted, “Cotswold now proposes 7,597 homes in and around Cirencester, with approximately 6,000 expected within the plan period. However, the strategic transport assessment for Driffield only considers 1,090 homes, despite the allocation possibly exceeding 2,200. We need clarity on whether National Highways has confirmed its approval of the transport impact for the entire allocation along the A417 and A419.”
In response, Andrew Maxted, interim head of planning policy and infrastructure at Cotswold District Council, explained that the current evidence base focuses on development up to 2043, specifically the 1,090 homes proposed for Driffield. He added, “National Highways is engaging primarily on that basis. While the plan acknowledges potential for development beyond 2043, such future growth has not yet been allocated or tested in assessments.”
Following the discussion, the council’s overview and scrutiny committee recommended that further review of the proposed transport infrastructure be carried out to ensure adequacy.
Councillors are set to debate the draft local plan at a special meeting scheduled for 12 August. If approved, a six-week public consultation on the plan will run from 24 August to 5 October 2026.