The Bathurst Estate’s proposal to increase the number of homes allowed to be occupied before the construction of a new primary school has sparked significant opposition in Cirencester. Bathurst Development Limited (BDL) has submitted plans to Cotswold District Council (CDC) seeking to revise the current legal agreement tied to their 2,350-home development south of Chesterton.
The expansive development covers 297.5 acres and includes plans for up to 100 student accommodation units and 60 homes designed for the elderly. The project also promises 22.4 acres of employment land, a primary school, a neighborhood center, public open spaces, allotments, playing fields, and improved pedestrian and cycle connections to Tetbury Road, Somerford Road, and Cranhams Lane.
Currently, a legal Section 106 agreement restricts occupancy to no more than 499 homes before the first phase of the new primary school is completed. BDL aims to raise this limit to 1,000 homes. Furthermore, the obligation to complete the second school phase before 1,250 homes are occupied is proposed to be increased to 1,750 homes.
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BDL argues the requested changes are justified by updated school place planning, which indicates a reduced need for school capacity and sufficient room in existing schools to accommodate children for longer than originally forecasted. However, the community response has been overwhelmingly critical.
At least 29 objections have been submitted through the council’s planning portal. Among them, former Cirencester teacher John Nicholas warned that relying on declining birth rates is faulty, stressing the experience of the past 50 years shows birth rates fluctuate, thereby increasing school demand. He criticized BDL for allowing sales of up to 499 homes without school provision, cautioning that potential buyers might avoid the development if essential services like a primary school, shops, GP surgery, and bus services are absent.
Local resident Harrison Bowley condemned the move as an “unacceptable deferral of essential infrastructure,” warning it will overburden existing primary schools and undermine sustainable development principles. James Bell echoed widespread frustration, saying BDL’s attempt to delay the school delivery reflects a lack of care for the community and emphasized that the scale of the development already strains local infrastructure.
Mark Pratley, chairman of the campaign group Save Our Cirencester, expressed concerns about the impact on families forced to transport children to distant schools, raising questions about sustainability. He highlighted that the availability of local schools is a priority for parents and that allowing the proposal could leave the town with a large estate lacking promised facilities.
The Bathurst Estate has been contacted for comment.
Residents wishing to review or comment on the proposal can do so on Cotswold District Council’s planning portal by searching application number 25/03509/DMPO.