Stow-on-the-Wold
The highest town in the Cotswolds with a brand-new Neighbourhood Plan just made one month before this consultation
1,240
Current homes
153
Additional by 2043
12%
Growth
82%
NP support
What the Local Plan Proposes
| Source | Homes |
|---|---|
| Planning permissions | 43 |
| Windfalls | 85 |
| New allocation | 25 |
| Total 2025-2043 | 153 |
Source: Local Plan Table 2
Neighbourhood Plan: A Unique Situation
Community wanted MORE housing than they got
Made 3 October 2024 with 82% support - just one month before this consultation. Unusually, the community wanted to allocate 170 homes with a community hub, but the examiner rejected this site.
What the community proposed
170 homes
4.5ha site + community hub - REJECTED by examiner
What the Local Plan proposes
153 homes total
Only 25 new allocation
Stow is the exception to the pattern. While other communities are fighting against unwanted growth, Stow's community actually proposed MORE development than ended up in their plan.
- The community wanted 170 homes (100 market, 70 affordable) plus a community hub
- The NP examiner rejected this allocation
- The Local Plan now proposes modest 12% growth - potentially less than the community wanted
- This demonstrates the limits of Neighbourhood Plan powers over strategic housing decisions
What This Means
Stow-on-the-Wold would see 12% growth (153 homes) with only 25 new homes allocated. This modest allocation reflects:
- Location entirely within the Cotswolds National Landscape
- A brand-new Neighbourhood Plan (made October 2024)
- Heritage and landscape constraints
CDC's Own Evidence
The Council's own evidence base documents reveal key constraints affecting Stow-on-the-Wold. Use these findings in your consultation response.
National Landscape - Highest Protection
Stow-on-the-Wold is entirely within the Cotswolds National Landscape - the highest level of landscape protection in England.
The IIA states that developing within the National Landscape "breaks planning law". Only Scenario 6 meets housing need - but it is "contrary to national planning policy".
IIA Assessment Findings
The Integrated Impact Assessment identifies key constraints:
- Hilltop town with limited expansion capacity
- Strong historic character highly sensitive to change
- National Landscape constraint limits growth options
- Prominent landscape position (800ft elevation) - development highly visible
Neighbourhood Plan & Strategic Decisions
Stow's case demonstrates the limits of Neighbourhood Plan powers. The community wanted to allocate 170 homes with a community hub - but the NP examiner rejected this allocation. This shows that even when communities want development, strategic housing decisions remain with the District Council.
The brand-new Neighbourhood Plan (made October 2024) represents the community's most recent expression of their vision for growth - just one month before this Local Plan consultation.
Strategic Context
79%
of housing need delivered by preferred Scenario 5
Oct 2024
Neighbourhood Plan made - 1 month before consultation
How to use this evidence
When responding to the consultation, you can cite these official findings to support arguments about landscape protection and heritage sensitivity. Stow's unique situation - with a brand-new Neighbourhood Plan that the community actively wanted to use for more housing - demonstrates the complex relationship between local and strategic planning decisions.
Key Issues for Residents
Brand-New Neighbourhood Plan
- Made just one month before this consultation
- Does the Local Plan respect the community's very recent decisions?
- What did the NP allocate for growth?
National Landscape
- Highest town in the Cotswolds (800ft)
- Prominent landscape position
- Is 12% growth appropriate?
Historic Market Town
- Famous market square
- Extensive heritage assets
- Major tourism destination
Services and Infrastructure
- Can existing services support growth?
- What improvements are planned?
Timeline
26 September 2024
Neighbourhood Plan referendum (82% support)
3 October 2024
Neighbourhood Plan made
14 November 2025
Local Plan consultation opens
2 January 2026
Reg 18 closed
Stay Informed
The Reg 18 consultation closed on 2 January 2026. This information remains useful for the Reg 19 consultation expected June 2026.
Submit Your Response
- Online: Consultation Portal
- Email: local.plan@cotswold.gov.uk (CC: planning@cotswold.gov.uk)
Local Contacts
Stow-on-the-Wold Town Council
stowonthewold-tc.gov.uk
Last updated: December 2025. For definitive information, refer to official consultation documents on the Council's website.