A new local plan put forward by Cotswold District Council outlines proposals for nearly 19,000 new homes across the district over the next two decades. The plan, which will be discussed by councillors next month, suggests significant expansions of existing towns and the establishment of large new villages.
The blueprint identifies ten strategic sites, including areas around Cirencester (3,717 homes), Moreton-in-Marsh (2,217 homes), and Down Ampney (1,658 homes). These sites are expected to provide approximately 90 per cent of the district’s housing target by 2043.
Civic leaders stress that the plan is “absolutely vital” to prevent speculative and piecemeal development, while fostering sustainable, healthy communities. Growth is intended to be carefully managed to deliver lasting benefits to both current and future residents.
READ MORE: Unemployment Falls in Forest of Dean Amid Rising Rates Elsewhere in Gloucestershire
The plan is supported by over 40 detailed studies covering housing demand, site suitability, transport, flood risk, landscape and heritage protection, ecology, viability, and infrastructure needs. It integrates sustainability and climate change considerations throughout, aiming to ensure that future development is environmentally responsible and “green to the core.”
A stepped approach to housing delivery is proposed, starting with 420 homes per year in the initial five years, increasing to 1,064 homes annually between 2031 and 2036, and reaching 1,550 homes per year in the final phase. This accounts for the longer development timelines associated with large strategic sites.
Residents will have a chance to provide feedback during a six-week consultation period from 24 August to 5 October 2026, subject to council approval. Following this, the plan and consultation responses are expected to be submitted for independent examination in December 2026, with adoption anticipated by March 2028.
Council leader Mike Evemy emphasised the importance of the plan: “These are difficult choices, but avoiding them would not protect the Cotswolds. Without a robust local plan, our communities become vulnerable to speculative proposals, and we lose our ability to influence where and how growth happens. This plan will deliver affordable homes, jobs, and services, while safeguarding the landscapes, heritage, and character that make the Cotswolds special. It also ensures we contribute to tackling the climate crisis with energy-efficient new homes.”
The proposed strategy balances the district’s housing needs with the protection of cherished landscapes and heritage sites. It also responds to community concerns raised during consultations, such as the need for affordable and smaller homes, improved health and community facilities, and enhanced transport infrastructure.
The plan follows government changes to how housing need is calculated, resulting in the district’s housing target more than doubling and the loss of a five-year housing land supply. This situation has increased pressure for unplanned development, which the council aims to address through this comprehensive local plan.