Development blueprint sparks questions over road capacity
As the Cotswolds begins to debate and plan where it might build nearly 19,000 new homes in the next 17 years residents are voicing concerns over how the area will cope.
Questions have been raised over how the A417 and A419 corridor will cope with plans to build 7,600 new homes in the Cotswolds.
Cotswold District Council is in the process of creating its new blueprint which will set out where development is expected to take place between now and 2043.
Planners have been tasked with finding sites for 18,900 new homes and are looking to create 10 new strategic sites which will take 90 per cent of the housing.
However, concerns have been raised over the impact thousands of new homes in and south of Cirencester will have on the A419 and A417.
Driffield is among the areas planned for new housing and under the proposals would see 1,090 homes built over the plan period along with a new primary school, employment sites and a local centre. However, this could rise to 2,220 in the future
One resident, who raised concerns about the Driffield allocation at a meeting earlier this week, said the council is proposing 7,600 homes in and around Cirencester and questioned whether local roads would cope.
He referenced the draft local plan in the neighbouring Stroud district where inspectors raised concerns over capacity issues at junction 12 and 14 of the M5 and asked if the impact on the A417, A419 corridor has been considered.
“Cotswold now proposes 7,597 dwellings of allocated capacity in and around Cirencester. Of which circa 6,000 fall within the planned period,” he said.
“At Driffield your strategic transport assessment only models 1,090 dwellings and yet the allocation is for over 2200.
“What written confirmation has the council obtained from National Highways that it’s content with the assessment of the A417 and A419 corridor for the full allocation.”
Andrew Maxted, interim head of planning policy and infrastructure at Cotswold District Council, replied saying the evidence which has been considered for Driffield is on the proposal for 1,090 homes.
“The evidence is focused on the development proposed to 2043, which is 1090,” he said.
“National Highways are engaging on that basis for the most part.
“The plan is saying there is potential for development beyond 2043 but it’s not specifically allocating that.
“It’s allocating the housing up to 2043 which is what has been tested at this stage.”
The overview and scrutiny committee ultimately called on council chiefs to look again at the proposed transport infrastructure included in the plan.
The cabinet is due to consider the local plan today (August 6) before all councillors can debate the blueprint at a special meeting on August 12.
If approved, a further public consultation on the draft plan is scheduled to run for six weeks from August 24 to October 5, 2026.
By Carmelo Garcia, local democracy reporter for Gloucestershire. carmelo.garcia@reachplc.com
*The Raikes Journal is the only independent news outlet in Gloucestershire approved to use the copy of the BBC local government reporting service. Why? Only independent, credible journalistically-led platforms that meet the BBC’s high standards win that permission.