Cotswold residents are being invited to participate in a public consultation on plans to build 18,650 new homes across the district by 2043, amid widespread concerns over the scale of housing growth.
Cotswold District Council is preparing a new local plan for development, which, if approved by planning inspectors, will guide growth until 2043. The council faces a significant challenge, with the government’s housing target for the district more than doubling—from 493 homes per year to over 1,000 annually.
This dramatic increase means the council no longer has a five-year housing land supply, reducing its ability to refuse planning applications. To address this, the council is updating its local plan to better manage infrastructure, control development, and align housing with community priorities.
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The council’s preferred proposal would deliver 14,660 homes, about 79% of the government’s target, focusing growth on strategic sites with more than 500 homes each. Key development areas include:
- 660 homes north of Ampney Crucis
- 400 homes south of The Steadings in Cirencester
- A new village featuring 840 homes at Driffield
- 780 homes northeast of Fairford
- 590 homes in Kemble
- A 1,710-home extension around Moreton-in-Marsh
- 900 homes south of Preston
- An 880-home strategic extension near Siddington
Council leader Mike Evemy emphasized the council’s commitment to updating the local plan, with submission to the planning inspector scheduled for the end of 2026 and adoption expected in 2027 — ahead of local government reorganization in 2028.
“The government’s increased housing targets have more than doubled our annual requirement," he explained. “As a result, we lost our five-year land supply, leading to an increased likelihood of planning permissions being granted to speculative developments.”
Cllr Evemy acknowledged concerns among residents, especially in smaller settlements where growth would feel substantial. He urged communities to engage actively in the consultation to help the council understand local impacts and infrastructure needs.
“We recognize the anxiety this growth target has caused,” he said. “But by sharing your views, you can help us find the right locations for development and ensure adequate infrastructure accompanies new housing—particularly affordable homes.”
The council will continue to challenge the government’s housing numbers but recognizes the district’s need for new homes. Residents, businesses, and community groups are encouraged to participate in the consultation running from November 14 to January 2.
The consultation is accessible online at your.cotswold.gov.uk, with a series of drop-in events scheduled across the district in November and December, where planning officers will be available to answer questions.
Hard copies of the consultation documents are available at public libraries throughout the Cotswold District, as well as at the Council offices in Cirencester and Moreton-in-Marsh.
Cllr Evemy concluded: “This is a vital opportunity to have your say. The current proposals are early options based on the government’s target, and community feedback is essential to shape a plan that balances growth with quality of life, environment, transport, housing needs, and community priorities.”