Plans to build 2,135 new homes in the Cotswold town of Moreton-in-Marsh have raised significant concerns among local residents. The issue came to widespread attention after maps circulated on social media, showing a proposed bypass road cutting directly through residents’ back gardens, causing alarm over the impact of the scheme.
The draft local plan, put forward by the Liberal Democrat leadership of Cotswold District Council, aims to allocate land for 18,900 new homes across the district by 2043. Council leader Mike Evemy (LD, Siddington and Cerney Rural) emphasised the importance of the plan in halting unplanned speculative development and creating sustainable, healthy communities.
While 90 per cent of the new housing is planned for ten strategic sites outside the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Moreton-in-Marsh is facing pressure with proposals for 2,135 additional homes in a town currently home to around 5,000 people. This level of growth has sparked opposition from long-standing local campaigners concerned about overdevelopment.
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Conservative Councillor Daryl Corps, representing Moreton West at the district council, expressed his worries about the scale and impact of the new housing. He highlighted particular concerns about the ‘multi-modal spine road’ proposed to run from the A429, crossing the railway and River Evenlode, leading towards development east of the town. ‘‘This is not a modest road,’’ he said, ‘‘with bridges and substantial engineering works likely to cost hundreds of millions of pounds.’’ Councillor Corps also questioned whether the road would reduce existing congestion or mainly serve to support the influx of new homes.
He added that some residents had been upset to discover the bypass route only after seeing maps on social media, with the road appearing to cut through their gardens, sometimes very close to their houses, without any prior consultation. Such a lack of engagement has heightened local unease.
Further concerns were voiced regarding the lack of new employment land allocation alongside the proposed housing. The Cotswold Business Centre may become enclosed by residential developments, limiting opportunities for local economic growth. Councillor Corps warned this could turn Moreton into a larger commuter town, increasing pressure on local roads.
North Cotswolds MP Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown noted the challenges of meeting the Government’s housing target and criticised district leaders for appearing too accepting of the scale of development. He emphasised the need for infrastructure to be in place before housing is built and for a balanced mix of affordable, one- and two-bedroom homes to assist younger people and the elderly.
“With this number of new houses in Moreton,” Sir Geoffrey said, “there should be provision for a new secondary school to cope with the growing population.”
The council’s Liberal Democrat leadership has previously opposed the housing target, calling it “moronic.” However, Councillor Evemy stressed that without the new plan, the area would remain exposed to uncoordinated development and costly planning appeals. “Avoiding these difficult choices would not protect the Cotswolds,” he said, describing the plan as “rigorous” and the best way to control the district’s future growth.
The proposed plan will undergo scrutiny by committee and cabinet in early August 2026 before being considered by the full council on 12 August 2026. A further six-week public consultation is scheduled from 24 August to 5 October, after which the council will review feedback and may suggest modifications for the planning inspector’s consideration.