Driffield
An entirely new settlement proposed from scratch
Hamlet
Current status
840
Homes by 2043
2,100
Full capacity
NEW
Settlement
What the Local Plan Proposes
An entirely new settlement west of Driffield
840
Homes by 2043
2,100
Total capacity
This is one of only two potential new settlements in the district.
A new settlement of 2,100 homes would be:
- Larger than current Lechlade (1,241 homes)
- Larger than current Fairford (1,800 homes)
- A significant new community requiring comprehensive infrastructure
Driffield is currently a hamlet - essentially a few houses. The proposal would create a small town from scratch.
Source: Local Plan Tables 3 and 4
CDC's Own Evidence
From the Council's published evidence base documents
The following findings come from CDC's own technical studies. You can cite these in your consultation response.
Landscape Sensitivity Assessment (Zone 22)
Source: Landscape Sensitivity Assessment, November 2025
Small Village
M-H
1,500-5,000 homes
Large Village
HIGH
5,000-10,000 homes
Town Scale
HIGH
10,000+ homes
"Development in this area would be challenging to integrate, particularly where it risks fragmenting open views or introducing massing into a visually sensitive area."
— Landscape Sensitivity Assessment, Zone 22
Site-Specific Constraints
Source: Appendix A Site Assessment Sheets, November 2025
Heritage Assets
- • Shorncote Listed Buildings - very sensitive setting
- • South Cerney Castle Scheduled Monument ~800m away
- • Ewen and Somerford Keynes settings need buffer
Ecological Designations
- • Entirely within Cotswold Water Park Nature Improvement Area
- • Entirely within North Meadow SAC Outer Zone of Influence
- • Cotswold Lakes and Clattinger Farm SSSIs within 2km
- • Coke's Pit Lake Local Nature Reserve within 250m
Water & Agricultural Land
- • Fully within Source Protection Zone AND Drinking Water Safeguarding Zone
- • Several patches of Grade 2 agricultural land
- • Flood Zone 2 on western and eastern sides
- • Within Mineral Safeguarding Area
Accessibility
- • Supermarket: Impossible by public transport
- • GP surgery: Impossible by public transport
- • Almost completely within 5km of Kemble Station
- • 3 medium frequency bus routes; on NCN 45
"The wide, flat landscape with a patchwork of ecological and historic landscape features, notably the River Thames corridor to the west... provides a strong rural identity, reinforced by visual openness, tranquillity, and limited settlement form."
— Landscape Sensitivity Assessment, Zone 22
How to use this evidence: When responding to the consultation, note that this site is entirely within two significant ecological designations (Cotswold Water Park NIA and North Meadow SAC Outer ZOI), and that key services are rated "impossible" to reach by public transport.
What New Settlements Require
Creating a new settlement is fundamentally different from expanding an existing one:
Infrastructure from scratch
- New primary school(s)
- GP surgery/health facilities
- Shops and local centre
- Community facilities
- Sports and recreation
- All utilities and drainage
Long lead times
- New settlements take decades
- 840 by 2043 is ambitious
- Remaining 1,260 would follow
Placemaking challenges
- Creating community identity
- Ensuring quality design
- Avoiding generic development
Key Issues for Residents
When responding to the consultation, you may wish to consider:
Is a new settlement the right approach?
- Are there advantages over expanding existing settlements?
- What would distinguish Driffield from other developments?
Deliverability
- Can 840 homes realistically be delivered by 2043?
- What infrastructure needs to come first?
- Who will fund upfront infrastructure?
Impact on existing communities
- How would this affect nearby South Cerney and Cirencester?
- What services would residents use before the new settlement is complete?
Design and character
- What would Driffield look like?
- How would it avoid being a generic housing estate?
- What design standards would apply?
Timeline
14 November 2025
Local Plan consultation opens
2 January 2026
Consultation closes
Post-adoption
Detailed masterplanning
2030s+
First homes potentially delivered
Have Your Say
The consultation closes 2 January 2026.
Submit Your Response
- Online: Consultation Portal
- Email: local.plan@cotswold.gov.uk (CC: planning@cotswold.gov.uk)
Local Contacts
South Cerney Parish Council
(Driffield is in this parish)
Last updated: December 2025. For definitive information, refer to official consultation documents on the Council's website.