Your Area
Select your area to see proposed Local Plan allocations, key issues, and how to respond.
Understanding the Numbers
The Housing Target
In December 2024, the government's new "standard method" increased Cotswold's annual housing target by 106% — from 493 to 1,036 homes per year.
Over the plan period (2025-2043), this means the district must deliver 18,650 homes. The Council's preferred Scenario 5 only delivers 79% of this target.
Why Growth is Concentrated
84% of the district is constrained from strategic development — 80% by the Cotswolds National Landscape, plus Flood Zone 3, heritage sites and ecological designations.
This leaves just 16% potentially available, concentrated in the south-east corridor (around Cirencester) and the Moreton-in-Marsh area in the north-east.
Infrastructure Under Strain
The entire Thames Water catchment area is designated "seriously water stressed" by the Environment Agency. Thames Water's £17 billion debt limits capacity for upgrades.
The Council's own IIA notes that "some parts of the district are already suffering from overdevelopment" with sewage and highway capacity already exceeded.
Strategic Site Delivery Risk
Large strategic sites take 7-13 years from first assessment to first home. The Steadings in Cirencester took 13 years from SHLAA assessment to first occupation.
The HRA screening found "all development scenarios could result in likely significant effects" on protected wildlife sites — requiring further assessment.
Source: CDC Development Strategy Options (Nov 2025), Assessment of Broad Strategic Development Locations, IIA Report, HRA Screening
Strategic Allocations
Major growth areas with the largest housing numbers in the Local Plan.
Cirencester
Principal SettlementThe historic capital of the Cotswolds and main service centre. Strategic growth includes Steadings extension and cumulative southern corridor impact.
Moreton-in-Marsh
Principal SettlementLargest strategic allocation in the district. Key concerns include PFAS contamination at Fire Service College site.
Preston
Hamlet → TownFrom hamlet to town: the most dramatic proportional growth in the district at 1,271%. Shares allocation with Siddington.
Driffield
New SettlementA new settlement built from scratch. Currently farmland, will grow to 2,100 homes over time.
Growth Hotspots
Villages facing the highest proportional growth rates.
Siddington
Local Service Centre268% growth proposed. Neighbourhood Plan in development since June 2023. Part of southern corridor expansion.
Ampney Crucis
Local Service Centre268% growth proposed. Conservation village with Neighbourhood Plan in development since June 2020.
Down Ampney
Local Service Centre180% growth proposed. Adopted NP with 95.6% community support. Thames Water infrastructure crisis with 13 empty homes.
Kemble
Local Service Centre160% growth by 2043 (284% full buildout). Made Neighbourhood Plan since May 2021. Railway access.
Infrastructure Concerns
Areas with significant environmental or infrastructure challenges.
Fairford
Local Service CentreRanked 7th worst nationally for sewage spills (4,332 hours in 2023). 70% growth by 2043 (104% full) despite infrastructure crisis.
Lechlade-on-Thames
Local Service CentreHistoric market town at the highest navigable point of the Thames. North Lechlade allocation of 150 homes near sensitive ecological sites.
Bourton-on-the-Water
Principal Settlement"Venice of the Cotswolds" with sewage works at <50% capacity. 12% growth despite extreme tourism and infrastructure constraints.
Mickleton
Local Service Centre439 new allocation homes representing 62% growth. No Neighbourhood Plan to guide development.
Principal Settlements
Market towns and larger villages with more moderate growth.
Tetbury
NPChipping Campden
NP devStow-on-the-Wold
NPAndoversford
NP devBlockley
NP devSouth Cerney
NPNorthleach
NPUpper Rissington
NP devSmaller Settlements
Villages and hamlets with smaller allocations.
Willersey
Coln Valley Cluster
Avening
Longborough
Bibury
Poulton
North Cerney
Broadwell
Bledington
Bourton-on-the-Hill
Meysey Hampton
District-Wide Summary
Can't Find Your Village?
Every settlement listed in the Local Plan's housing distribution table has its own page above. If your village isn't listed, it may fall within an existing parish boundary or have housing figures included in a nearby larger settlement.
For district-wide policies, housing targets and methodology, visit the Local Plan section.