Residents of Down Ampney, a rural village in the Cotswolds, have voiced strong concerns that their objections are being overlooked regarding a significant housing development proposal. The plan put forward by Cotswold District Council includes up to 1,658 new homes, which would increase the size of the village to more than six times its current scale.
Down Ampney, situated approximately seven miles south of Cirencester, is a longstanding farming community with around 300 homes and a population of 572, according to the 2021 census. The proposed development aims to accommodate a substantial number of new dwellings, driven in part by the council’s need to meet Government-mandated housing targets.
Local residents have expressed unease about the suitability of Down Ampney for such rapid and extensive expansion. Many feel that they were not adequately consulted on this dramatic shift prior to the plan reaching its final consultation stage. The Down Ampney Action Group has emphasised support for measured, organic growth that integrates well with existing community infrastructure and character. While residents have previously backed developments that allowed gradual expansion, they argue that a jump from 300 to over 1,900 homes cannot be considered organic growth and would fundamentally alter the village’s identity.
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Jane Dickson, chair of Planning for the Down Ampney Action Group, explained: “Meeting a housing target is not the same as creating a sustainable community. We support organic growth but are challenging the scale and location of this proposal. We question whether it is sensible to place 1,658 new homes around a village of approximately 300, especially given constraints such as infrastructure, transport, flooding, agricultural land, and the environment.
“The plan does not convincingly demonstrate that this number of homes in Down Ampney is appropriate, nor that necessary infrastructure like roads, services, employment, drainage, healthcare, and wastewater systems will be in place at the right time. Planning should start by considering the community’s capacity and characteristics, instead of just fulfilling housing quotas.”
Cotswold District Council explains that Government housing targets have increased from under 500 homes per year to 1,054, and the council’s new Local Plan aims to deliver over 18,000 homes across the district by 2043. Down Ampney’s allocation notably jumped from 369 homes in the previous plan phase to the current number of 1,658, marking the largest increase across the district.
Adam Crawford, a member of Down Ampney Parish Council, added: “We feel our voices are not being heard. While the council states that another consultation was not legally required, there is concern that residents have lacked a genuine chance to understand changes and question the evidence. This is a highly technical process difficult for those without planning expertise to navigate, yet now is when detailed input is required on soundness, infrastructure, and deliverability.
“We believe such a large change deserved greater transparency and more opportunity for community engagement.”
The development also raises concerns due to its proximity to an active military flight path associated with RAF Fairford. The proposed northern section would lie beneath this route near the runway’s end. While residents are not opposed to military activity, they question if placing a large residential population here is appropriate, especially considering potential impacts from aircraft noise and aviation safety.
Down Ampney Parish Council highlighted these issues during scrutiny in August 2026, questioning public health and the lack of a military airfield noise assessment. The council states the Ministry of Defence was consulted and did not object.
The Action Group calls on the council and the planning authorities to reconsider if Down Ampney is a suitable location for development on this scale. They stress that while meeting housing targets is essential, it must be balanced against the capacity of places to absorb growth without harming communities, infrastructure, farmland, and the environment.
Mr Crawford noted: “This is not about opposing new homes but supporting measured growth. Is 1,658 new homes around a 300-home village proportionate, sustainable, and appropriate? With the district needing over 18,000 new homes, planning cannot just be about finding numbers and locations without considering infrastructure, employment, travel, and preserving what makes the Cotswolds special.
“We believe in a strong planning case and intend to contest this proposal rigorously, but we need professional expertise to do so effectively. It’s about getting the right development in the right place.”
To support this challenge, the Down Ampney Action Group is fundraising for independent planning and legal advice to scrutinise the proposal, examine the evidence, and make a formal case through the planning system.
A spokesperson for Cotswold District Council commented: “We understand these proposals have prompted strong opinions. The council has a duty to plan for needed homes and ensure growth happens sustainably with supporting infrastructure and services. This is why the consultation is important; we encourage all residents to review the proposals and give their feedback.
“We have engaged with around 1,000 people at meetings and received over 170 responses so far, and the consultation remains open until midnight on 3 November 2026. There is still time to participate and share views on the district’s future.”
The consultation period for the proposed new homes in Down Ampney will close at 11.59pm on 3 November 2026.