Residents of Down Ampney have launched a campaign against a proposal to build 1,658 new homes in their village, which currently has a population of around 300. The Down Ampney Action Group, a resident-led initiative, argues that the development would increase the village’s size more than sixfold and fundamentally change its rural character.
The group has expressed concerns about the unsustainable scale of the proposal and the lack of credible evidence that essential infrastructure such as roads, drainage, wastewater systems, healthcare, education, and employment opportunities can support growth of this magnitude. They are also raising funds to obtain independent planning and legal advice, believing there are strong grounds to challenge the plans.
The campaigners highlight that this issue extends beyond Down Ampney, questioning how Cotswold District Council is addressing national housing targets and whether these targets are leading to development without sufficient consideration of local capacity and constraints.
Phil Fryer Ward, representing the Down Ampney Action Group, is the media contact for the campaign.