The formation of a Cotswold District Council board overseeing extensive local development has sparked controversy, with accusations of exclusion leveled against council leadership. The board, responsible for guiding a new blueprint for significant housing developments, notably omits opposition members and councillors representing areas north of Cirencester, drawing sharp criticism as “absolutely disgraceful.”
Recent national planning policy reforms have more than doubled the area’s housing target, compelling the council to plan for approximately 1,036 new homes annually—up from the previous target of 420. Given that 80% of the Cotswolds falls within the protected Cotswold National Landscape, meeting such targets presents significant challenges.
In response, the council is consolidating its partial updates and development strategies into a comprehensive local plan update. This will integrate county-level strategic planning where appropriate, with a targeted submission date in December 2026 and adoption expected by 2027.
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At the July 16 full council meeting, Council Leader Mike Evemy (Liberal Democrat, Siddington and Cerney Rural) highlighted the increased targets, attributing the surge to Government mandates issued in December 2024. During discussions, Conservative Group Leader Tom Stowe (Campden-Vale) proposed an amendment to include at least one opposition member on the oversight board to foster inclusivity and cooperation.
Conservative Councillor David Fowles (Coln Valley), supporting the amendment, emphasized the opposition’s full backing of the local plan and the importance of collaborative involvement. Stowe underscored the significance of the project’s district-wide impact and condemned the exclusion of opposition and northern councillors as “absolutely disgraceful.”
Leader Evemy rejected the amendment, clarifying that the oversight board is a cabinet-led body supported by officers and is distinct from the former cross-party local plan programme board. He assured that councillors would still have opportunities to hold cabinet members accountable during the plan’s progression.
The amendment was ultimately defeated by 14 votes to 10, with one abstention. However, the council unanimously approved the merged local plan documents, advancing the next stage of the district’s development strategy.