Kemble
A village proposed to nearly triple in size
388
Current homes
619
Proposed by 2043
~1,100
Full capacity
160%
Growth by 2043
What the Local Plan Proposes
| Source | Homes |
|---|---|
| Planning permissions | 6 |
| Windfalls | 26 |
| Strategic allocation (by 2043) | 587 |
| Total 2025-2043 | 619 |
| Full capacity | 1,070 |
- Kemble currently has 388 homes - a village
- By 2043, it would have over 600 homes
- At full buildout, approximately 1,100 homes - nearly tripling
- Growth of 160% by 2043, 284% at full buildout
Source: Local Plan Tables 2 and 3
The Railway Justification
Why Kemble?
The village has a railway station on the Golden Valley Line (Swindon-Cheltenham, with connections to London). This sustainable transport link is the primary justification for targeting Kemble for strategic growth.
The Council's rationale centres on the railway station:
- Direct services to Swindon, Cheltenham, Gloucester
- Connections to London Paddington via Swindon
- Sustainable transport alternative to car dependency
However, residents may wish to consider:
- What is the current capacity and frequency of rail services?
- Would services be increased to match housing growth?
- How far is the strategic site from the station? Would residents actually walk?
- What about other infrastructure (schools, GP, shops)?
CDC's Own Evidence
The Council's own evidence base documents reveal significant constraints affecting Kemble. Use these findings in your consultation response.
Landscape Sensitivity Assessment
Zone 23 covers the area around Kemble:
| Zone | Sensitivity | Key Constraints |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 23 | M-H to H | Partial SLA, adjacent to National Landscape, Cotswold Airport |
"Introducing large-scale development here would conflict with the rural setting, reduce the separation between Kemble and smaller settlements."
Source: Landscape Sensitivity Assessment, November 2025
IIA Assessment Findings
The Integrated Impact Assessment acknowledges the tension:
- Railway station makes it a sustainable location
- But landscape constraints are significant
- SLA and National Landscape proximity limit expansion
Villages "Almost Tripling in Size"
The IIA explicitly acknowledges that under Scenario 5, villages will be "almost tripling in size". Kemble is one of the most extreme examples:
388
Current homes
~1,000
By 2043
~1,100
Full capacity
Site-Specific Constraints (Zones 19 & 23)
Source: Site Assessment Sheets, November 2025
Heritage Assets
- Hullasey Village Scheduled Monument (NHLE 1003359) ~700m north
- Roman villa (NHLE 1021448) within 50m of Zone 19
- Kemble Airfield with listed hangars
- Kemble and Ewen Conservation Areas and numerous Listed Buildings
Ecological Designations
- Kemble Railway Cuttings SSSI (within Zone 23)
- Kemble Wood Ancient Woodland
- ~Half of Zone 23 in Cotswold Beechwoods SAC ZOI
- North Meadow SAC Outer Zone (Zone 19 mostly Inner Zone)
Water & Minerals
- 100% Source Protection Zone (both zones)
- 100% Drinking Water Safeguarding Zone (Zone 23)
- Most of both zones in Mineral Safeguarding Area
Infrastructure Capacity
- Zone 19: Wastewater capacity only ~225 properties
- Zone 23: Wastewater capacity ~3,000 properties
- Electricity: Primary Substation needs upgrading
Zone 19 Accessibility (areas away from station)
IMPOSSIBLE
Supermarket
IMPOSSIBLE
Hospital
IMPOSSIBLE
GP
IMPOSSIBLE
Primary Ed
IMPOSSIBLE
Secondary Ed
By public transport. Zone 19 has only 749 jobs accessible within 45 mins by PT.
Strategic Context
Only 16%
of district land is unconstrained
106 dph
density required = "inner London levels"
The railway station is being used to justify major growth despite landscape constraints - but the Council's own evidence questions whether this is appropriate.
How to use this evidence
When responding to the consultation, you can cite the Landscape Sensitivity Assessment's finding that large-scale development would "conflict with the rural setting." The Council's own evidence acknowledges significant landscape constraints - use this to question whether the railway justification outweighs these concerns.
Neighbourhood Plan in Direct Conflict
Kemble and Ewen Neighbourhood Plan - Made May 2021 with 89% support
The community-authored plan explicitly states it "has not sought to allocate further land for development" - a deliberate choice not to plan for significant growth.
What the community decided (2021)
"Not sought to allocate"
89% referendum support
What the Local Plan proposes (2025)
590 - 1,070 homes
160% - 284% growth
This is a major conflict between a community-authored Neighbourhood Plan and Local Plan proposals.
- The community made a deliberate choice just 4 years ago not to plan for significant growth
- The Local Plan now proposes a strategic extension nearly tripling the village
- Residents may wish to argue that the Local Plan should respect the democratic mandate of the made NP
Key Issues for Residents
When responding to the consultation, you may wish to consider:
Scale vs. Character
- Is it appropriate to nearly triple a village?
- Kemble has a distinct character - how would this be affected?
Railway Capacity
- Will rail services increase to match housing growth?
- What investment is committed?
- What happens if rail capacity doesn't materialise?
National Landscape
- Kemble is partially within the Cotswolds National Landscape
- How would development affect landscape character?
Thames Head
- The ceremonial source of the River Thames is near Kemble
- How would development affect this heritage feature?
Timeline
May 2021
Neighbourhood Plan made (89% support)
14 November 2025
Local Plan consultation opens
2 January 2026
Consultation closes
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
Kemble and Ewen Parish Council
kembleandewen-pc.gov.uk
Last updated: December 2025. For definitive information, refer to official consultation documents on the Council's website.