Cotswold, Local Plan Consultation For Housing & Development Strategy

COTSWOLD DISTRICT COUNCIL

THE TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING

(LOCAL PLANNING) (ENGLAND) REGULATIONS 2012

PUBLIC CONSULTATION NOTICE – REGULATION 18

A public consultation period for the Update to the Cotswold District Local Plan (a Regulation 18 consultation) commences on Friday 14 November 2025 and ends at 11:59pm on Friday 2 January 2026. You are invited to comment on the Local Plan and its supporting documents.

WHAT IS A LOCAL PLAN?

A Local Plan is a legal requirement and the starting point for determining local planning applications. The Council already has a Local Plan, which it is currently reviewing. The new Local Plan will apply to the whole of Cotswold District and will include a range of planning policies covering housing, the economy, the environment and infrastructure; it will also provide a strategy for delivering growth.

WHY IS THE LOCAL PLAN BEING UPDATED?

Local councils must prepare a Local Plan that sets out a vision and framework for the future development of their area. Cotswold District Council is updating its adopted Local Plan in light of the new mandatory housing targets set by government. The government now requires the district to provide more than twice the number of homes it was previously planning for, which currently equates to a total target of 18,650 additional new homes between 2025 and 2043.

From 14 November 2025 to 2 January 2026, the Council is running a consultation which looks at different development strategy options to deliver this target, whilst also providing a preferred strategy option. The consultation identifies broad areas for housing growth, but not specific sites yet. Specific sites will be proposed in the next stage of consultation in 2026.

WHAT IS THIS CONSULTATION ABOUT?

The upcoming consultation consists of:

• A consultation document that looks at a series of development scenarios to address the council’s development needs up to 2043, and proposes the Council’s preferred scenario (please note, several of the scenarios — including the preferred scenario — include strategic sites of 500 or more homes that would likely continue being built after 2043).

  The consultation document also considers development needs beyond conventional housing and includes an updated Vision and Objectives for the Local Plan. This consultation document has a range of supporting background documents including:

  • Site Allocation Selection Methodology

  • Integrated Impact Assessment

  • Habitat Regulations Assessment

  • Settlement Role and Function Study

  • Assessment of Broad Strategic Development Locations and Appendices

  • Development Strategy Options Technical Report

  • Guide to Submitting Comments

• A call for sites that invites people to propose sites that can help deliver the council’s strategy. This can include land for housing, employment, green infrastructure, energy etc.

ENGAGE ONLINE

We strongly encourage local communities and individuals to submit comments online using the Council’s consultation system your.cotswold.gov.uk. This is the easiest way to tell us your views. The Council has also produced guidance on the Council’s website explaining how to respond to the consultation. You can respond to as many or as few questions as you wish. If you do not have access to a computer or smartphone you can make your submission by letter or email via Local.plan@cotswold.gov.uk or Planning Policy, Cotswold District Council, Trinity Road, Cirencester, GL7 1PX. Please ensure to clearly state for each of your comments which section/paragraph of the consultation they relate to; this ensures that your comments are processed swiftly and correctly.

A PDF version of the document and the supporting background documents can be viewed or downloaded on the Council’s website.

WHERE CAN I VIEW PAPER COPIES?

The Local Plan update consultation documentation will be available to view as paper copies at the council offices at Cirencester and Moreton-in-Marsh.

• Trinity Road, Cirencester (Tel: 01285 623000)

• Moreton Area Centre, High Street, Moreton-in-Marsh (Tel: 01608 650881)

The relevant documents will also be available to view at public libraries throughout Cotswold District during normal opening hours.

PUBLIC EVENTS

Public drop-in events will be held on:

• Friday 28?? November: 2–7pm, King George’s Hall, Mickleton

• Friday 5?? December: 2–7pm, St David’s Centre, Moreton

• Thursday 11?? December: 2–7pm, Fairford Community Centre (Farmer Room)

• Thursday 18?? December: 2–7pm, Corinium Museum (Winstone Room), Cirencester