The Government’s housing target for the Cotswolds, which aims for nearly 19,000 new homes over the next 20 years, has been met with strong opposition from 15 parish and town councils across the district. These local councils have jointly sent a letter to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), expressing deep concerns about the proposed housing figures and development plans.
The Cotswold District Council is currently drafting a new local plan designed to meet this housing target. Their proposal suggests that 90% of the new homes would be constructed on ten strategic sites located outside the nationally designated landscape areas. However, the councils signing the letter argue that the plan is flawed and undeliverable due to inaccurately defined boundaries, questionable affordability measurements, and significant infrastructure limitations.
They contend that the calculation method for the district’s housing requirement is fundamentally flawed and warn it could cause substantial harm to the local environment. Moreover, they claim the plan fails to adequately address true housing affordability challenges faced by the local population.
READ MORE: Young Sherlock Series Transforms Cheltenham Streets into Victorian Era Film Set
“We are especially concerned by the attempt to reallocate housing demand for roughly half of the population residing within 80% of the Cotswold National Landscape area,” the letter states. The councils also highlight constraints such as flood risk, inadequate water and sewage infrastructure capacity, and insufficient road networks as barriers to new housing development.
The signatories propose a sustainable approach to tackling housing affordability issues and are calling on the Government to consider their concerns seriously. They urge a postponement of the new local plan until the forthcoming local government reorganisation in Gloucestershire is completed, with the aim of ensuring a coherent strategy.
Councillor Eileen Viviani, chair of the planning and infrastructure committee at Moreton Town Council, described the joint letter as an “unusual step” demonstrating the councils' unity in advocating for their communities’ economic and housing needs to be properly understood and met.
Gloucestershire County Council is scheduled to merge with the six district authorities, including Cotswold District Council, forming a new Gloucestershire Council in 2028. Meanwhile, the town and parish councils are requesting that the minister acknowledge that the government’s ‘standard formula’ for calculating housing requirements does not suit the unique context of the Cotswold district.
The MHCLG has been contacted for comment but has yet to respond.
The local plan is set for consideration by district councillors over multiple meetings this month. If approved, it will be subjected to a six-week public consultation period running from 24 August to 5 October. Following this, the council will review feedback and may propose further modifications for the planning inspector to assess.
The letter has been signed by the town councils of Chipping Campden, Fairford, Lechlade, Moreton-in-Marsh, and Stow-on-the-Wold. Parish councils adding their support include Ampney Crucis, Bourton-on-the-Water, Down Ampney, Driffield and Harnhill, Kemble and Ewen, Kempsford, Mickleton, Preston, Quenington, and Siddington.