Plans for the next phase of a major expansion in Cirencester, which includes 129 new homes, have raised disappointment regarding the number of truly affordable properties being provided. The scheme, part of the Bathurst Estate’s wider The Steadings development, forms one stage of a 2,350-home expansion for the town.
Cotswold District Council’s planning committee approved the development on August 11, which includes four ground floor community use spaces and a mix of one to four-bedroom homes, situated south west of Alexander Drive and east of The Maples.
Council officers recommended granting permission, noting that the scheme would deliver 40 affordable homes. However, councillors expressed concern that only three of these would be designated for social rent, considered the most genuinely affordable option.
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Liberal Democrat Councillor Patrick Coleman, representing Stratton, voiced his disappointment: “How on earth with 129 dwellings do we think that 2.3 per cent social rented properties would be adequate? Given the difficulties with falling school numbers and the increasing cost of living, this falls short.”
He referred to the housing figures within the planning report, which indicated 22 affordable rent homes (often deemed less affordable), three social rent properties, 15 shared ownership units, and 89 market-rate homes. Councillor Coleman highlighted that effectively only three properties could be considered truly affordable and questioned the absence of apartments, particularly near a town centre.
Council officers responded that the proposals complied with the previously granted outline planning permission and that planning policies allow for a range of affordable housing types. Case officer Julian Pye explained: “In terms of how affordable housing might be described in planning policy, there is a variation on what an affordable unit might be.”
Greg Evans, from developer Harper Crewe, stated that the company was familiar with Cirencester and had already delivered the first phase of new homes at The Steadings. He added: “We are excited at the prospect of delivering further homes at these sustainably located sites, responding to the character of the area and integrating well with the nearby properties.”
During the meeting, Conservative Councillor David Fowles proposed approving the scheme in accordance with the officers’ recommendation, noting it came seven years after the outline planning permission was granted. This motion was seconded by Liberal Democrat Councillor Paul Evans, and the committee voted unanimously to grant permission.