The Cotswolds could see thousands of new homes and a new village built in the coming years, according to plans revealed by Cotswold District Council. The council has published draft options for future housing development in response to a sharp rise in government-imposed targets for new homes.
The number of homes the council needs to plan for each year has more than doubled to 1,036, as part of a national drive to build 1.5 million homes during this parliament.
In early November, the council will launch a public consultation once the cabinet endorses potential development scenarios later this month. The council has developed several strategic options based on land that could be available, and housing that could be delivered in the time period.
The recommended option will be discussed by councillors next week and include a new village near Driffield along with extensions to Kemble, Ampney Crucis, Preston, Siddington, Fairford, Moreton-in-Marsh and Cirencester.
The plans, which would deliver 14,660 homes by 2043, also include smaller developments in other towns and villages with potential development areas outside of the National Landscape across the north, south and east of the district. Only one of the options meets the full government target, and this involves building within the Cotswold National Landscape, which is unlikely to be viable under current planning rules, reports Gloucestershire Live.
Council leader Mike Evemy (LD, Siddington and Cerney Rural) believes the district has been dealt a “really tough hand”.
“Over 80 per cent of our district is protected National Landscape, which severely limits where houses can be built,” he said.
“Yet we’re expected to plan for 18,650 homes over the next 18 years – a staggering number.”
Opposition leader Tom Stowe has also criticised the housing targets and believes these are “deeply concerning times for residents of the Cotswolds”.
“We accept that there is a need for additional housing in the district but much like a lot of the Government’s policies this is ill-thought out, poorly executed and with little regard for consequences,” he said.
“Both the leader of CDC and North Cotswold MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown have written to the secretary of state highlighting the unique challenges that Cotswold District faces against these ridiculous, arbitrary housing targets imposed by the Government.
“The Government has slapped down these concerns and as it stands CDC has no option but to press on and start to work out where this housing can possibly go.
“This report and options appraisal highlights what this looks like in practice and it’s grim reading. This is another attack by the Government on rural areas, villages and towns across the district are going to be irreversibly changed under these plans.
“Now is the time for the Government to listen, review the evidence, accept it is wrong and open discussions about revising the housing numbers for the district to a more sensible and sustainable figure.”
The authority is also in discussions with neighbouring councils to explore whether they might assist in addressing the shortfall.
November’s consultation will additionally feature a request for additional sites across the district that could potentially accommodate housing development.
“It’s crucial to emphasise that at this stage, these numbers are indicative and high-level,” said Cllr Evemy.
“The figures are based on sites that currently have planning permission, as well as sites that have been put forward to the council by landowners, which have potential for housing.
“This consultation is about testing ideas and hearing from residents who know their communities best.
“Some sites might be discounted; other new sites may come forward.
“This marks the beginning of an important conversation on how we manage the Government’s demands for a huge increase in housing development, which I know is going to be difficult at times.”
