Moreton-in-Marsh
The largest strategic allocation in the district - nearly doubling the town
2,663
Current homes
2,135
Proposed by 2043
~6,630
Full capacity
80%
Growth by 2043
What the Local Plan Proposes
| Source | Homes |
|---|---|
| Planning permissions | 227 |
| Windfalls | 196 |
| Strategic allocation (by 2043) | 1,712 |
| Total 2025-2043 | 2,135 |
| Full capacity | 3,970 |
- Moreton currently has 2,663 homes - a market town
- By 2043, it would have approximately 4,800 homes
- At full buildout, potentially 6,630 homes - more than doubling
- This is the largest strategic allocation in the entire district
Why Moreton? The town has a railway station on the North Cotswold Line, town centre services, is outside the National Landscape, and is designated as a Main Service Centre.
Source: Local Plan Tables 2 and 3
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: Highest Constraints
Source: Landscape Sensitivity Assessment, November 2025
| Zone | Location | Sensitivity |
|---|---|---|
| 03 | North-West | HIGH |
| 04 | North-East | HIGH |
| 05 | East/South | M-H |
| 06 | South | HIGH |
"Zone 03 is not adjoining any existing settlement and is physically and perceptually disconnected... Zone 04 has an absence of a functional or physical relationship to existing settlements."
— Landscape Sensitivity Assessment, November 2025
Key finding: All four zones surrounding Moreton-in-Marsh are within the Special Landscape Area (SLA). Three zones (03, 04, 06) have HIGH sensitivity at all development scales.
Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA)
Source: CDC IIA Report, November 2025
Predicted Impacts
- − Major growth target (largest in district)
- − Infrastructure capacity concerns
- − Town centre congestion impacts
Strategic Context
- Only 16% of district land is unconstrained
- Scenario 5 delivers only 79% of housing need
- District is "seriously water stressed"
Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA)
Source: CDC HRA, October 2025
"All scenarios could have likely significant effects on Habitats Sites"
— Habitat Regulations Assessment, October 2025
Relevant concerns for Moreton-in-Marsh:
- Traffic increase contributing to air quality impacts near Habitats Sites
- Scale of development is largest in district
Site-Specific Constraints (Zone 05)
Source: Appendix A Site Assessment Sheets, November 2025
Heritage Assets
- • Roman small town of Dorn (NHLE 1018451) - Scheduled Monument immediately surrounded by proposed development
- • Listed buildings at Dorn, Moreton-in-Marsh, and Four Shire
- • Ridge and furrow earthworks around Lemington Grange, Coldicote, and Four Shires
Ecological Designations
- • Aston Hall Coppice Ancient Woodland within site
- • Wolford Wood and Old Covert SSSI within 250m-2km
- • Falls within SSSI Impact Risk Zones - Natural England consultation required
Water & Minerals
- • Majority within Drinking Water Safeguarding Zone
- • Wholly within Mineral Safeguarding Area
- • Wastewater capacity for only ~500 properties before upgrades required
Accessibility
- • 18,402 jobs accessible within 45 min walk/bus
- • 46% car commute rate (moderate)
- • Within 2.5km of Moreton station
- • 4 medium frequency bus routes; on NCN 48
How to use this evidence: When responding to the consultation, reference that all surrounding zones are within/adjacent to SLA, that Zones 03 and 04 are identified as having HIGH sensitivity with "no functional relationship" to the existing settlement, and that the Roman town of Dorn would be immediately surrounded by development.
Environmental Concerns: PFAS Contamination
Highest PFAS contamination in UK
Moreton-in-Marsh has recorded the highest "forever chemical" (PFAS) contamination results in the UK.
Residents may wish to ask:
- What is the source of PFAS contamination?
- How would new development affect or be affected by contamination?
- What remediation is planned?
- Should strategic development proceed before contamination is addressed?
Source: Referenced in district briefing documents
Neighbourhood Plan: In Development
Designated September 2018 - over 6 years ago
The Neighbourhood Plan has not yet been completed. This means the largest strategic allocation in the district is being proposed for a town without a completed community plan.
Key Issues for Residents
When responding to the consultation, you may wish to consider:
Scale
- The largest strategic allocation in the district
- Would nearly double the town by 2043, potentially add 165% at full buildout
- Is this scale appropriate even for a Main Service Centre?
Infrastructure
- What new schools, GP surgeries, community facilities are planned?
- Railway capacity - would services increase?
- Traffic - the A429 already has congestion issues
Character
- Moreton is a historic market town
- How would near-doubling affect its character?
- What would distinguish it from any other town at 6,000+ homes?
Timeline
September 2018
Neighbourhood Area designated
14 November 2025
Local Plan consultation opens
2 January 2026
Consultation closes
TBC
Neighbourhood Plan completion
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
Moreton-in-Marsh Town Council
moretoninmarshtowncouncil.co.uk
Last updated: December 2025. For definitive information, refer to official consultation documents on the Council's website.