Agenda, decisions and draft minutes
- Attendance details
- Agenda frontsheet
PDF 88 KB
- Agenda reports pack
- Supplement B - Local Plan supporting documents PDF 276 MB
- Supplement A item 43. PDF 13 MB
- Supplement C - Material Changes to Draft Local Plan for Cabinet PDF 111 KB
- Supplement D Recommendations from Overview and Scrutiny Committee PDF 232 KB
- Supplement E - Material Changes to the Draft Local Plan 06.08.2026 PDF 176 KB
- Printed decisions
PDF 68 KB
- Printed draft minutes
PDF 102 KB
Venue: the Council Chamber - Council Offices, Trinity Road, Cirencester, GL7 1PX. View directions
Contact: Democratic Services
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Apologies To receive any apologies for absence. The quorum for Cabinet is 3 members.
Additional documents: Minutes: There were no apologies for absence. |
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Declarations of Interest To receive any declarations of interest from Members relating to items to be considered at the meeting. Additional documents: Minutes: Councillor Andrea Pellegram declared, for reasons of transparency, an interest in Agenda Item 5 arising from her position as a retired professional planner and a director of Andrea Pellegram Limited, a planning consultancy. She advised that this interest was recorded in her Register of Interests and that the company provided planning services to a range of clients, including town and parish councils.
Councillor Pellegram acknowledged that there could be a perception of overlap between her professional role and her responsibilities as a Cabinet Member. She confirmed that she maintained a clear separation between those roles, did not use her position as a councillor to promote the interests of her company or its clients, and did not use or disclose confidential Council information for business purposes.
She informed the Cabinet that, in relation to the draft Local Plan, her company had provided planning support to Honeybourne Parish Council during the Regulation 18 consultation. Honeybourne Parish Council, whilst outside the Cotswold District, was a statutory consultee. She advised that the work had been undertaken by another consultant within the company and that she had had no involvement in preparing or submitting the representations or in seeking to influence their consideration by the Council.
Councillor Pellegram further confirmed that neither she nor her company held any land interest affected by the draft Local Plan or any financial interest dependent upon its outcome. Having considered the matter carefully and taken advice from the Monitoring Officer, she advised that she had also agreed with her business partner that her company would not accept any commission from within Cotswold District to prepare representations on the draft Local Plan.
Councillor Pellegram confirmed that she had spoken with the Monitoring Officer and was satisfied she did not have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest or any other interest requiring her to withdraw from the meeting and therefore remained in the meeting, participated in the discussion and voted on the item.
The Leader of the Council invited any further declarations of interest. No further declarations were made. |
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Public Questions To deal with questions from the public within the open forum question and answer session of thirty minutes in total. Questions from each member of the public should be no longer than two minutes each and relate to issues under the Cabinet’s remit. At any one meeting no person may submit more than two questions and no more than two such questions may be asked on behalf of one organisation.
The Leader will ask whether any members of the public present at the meeting wish to ask a question and will decide on the order of questioners.
The response may take the form of: a) a direct oral answer; b) where the desired information is in a publication of the Council or other published work, a reference to that publication; or c) where the reply cannot conveniently be given orally, a written answer circulated later to the questioner. Additional documents: Minutes: Councillor Mike Evemy, Leader of the Council, opened the public questions session by acknowledging the anxiety and concern caused by the publication of the proposed Local Plan on 24 July 2026. He recognised that the proposals had come as a surprise to some communities and anticipated that these concerns would be reflected in the public questions. Those present were reminded that the Council was required to respond to Government-imposed housing targets, which had increased from fewer than 500 homes per year to 1,054 homes per year. As a consequence, the Council's existing Local Plan housing policies were considered out of date, creating a presumption in favour of development until a new Local Plan was adopted. Councillor Evemy explained that he had written to three Government Ministers requesting that the housing target be reconsidered, with support from members across political groups and evidence submitted through the Regulation 18 consultation. However, the Government had confirmed that the target would remain unchanged. Cabinet was also reminded that Full Council had unanimously agreed twelve months earlier to prepare an updated Local Plan, noting that an adopted Local Plan was the principal means by which the Council could resist speculative planning applications. Recent planning appeals where decisions to refuse speculative developments had been overturned were referred to, emphasising the importance of progressing the Local Plan before opening the floor to public questions.
1. Councillor Adam Crawford – Down Ampney Parish Council Councillor Adam Crawford referred to a question he had previously raised at the Overview and Scrutiny Committee regarding military aircraft noise associated with RAF Fairford and the potential impact of USAF (United States Air Force) operations on proposed development sites. He asked whether the Council's discussions with the Ministry of Defence (MOD) had specifically considered the noise impact of B-1B Lancer aircraft operating from RAF Fairford, given the proximity of the proposed development to the take-off flight path. He further asked, in light of the fact that independent assessments of aircraft noise, health impacts and aviation safety had not yet been completed or published, what evidence the Cabinet had relied upon in concluding that the proposed Down Ampney allocation represented sustainable development.
The Leader of the Council deferred to the Interim Head of Planning Policy and Infrastructure who confirmed that the Ministry of Defence had been consulted and would be expected to advise the Council on any operational concerns relating to proposed development. While the MOD had raised issues regarding some sites, it had not identified concerns relating to this proposal. Officers confirmed that engagement with the MOD and other statutory consultees would continue throughout the plan-making process. The Leader acknowledged the concerns raised and confirmed that representations submitted during the Regulation 19 consultation would be fully considered. Should further evidence from the MOD identify a fundamental issue, this would be addressed through the Local Plan process.
2. Councillor Richard Harrison – Fairford Town Council Councillor Harrison stated that Fairford Town Council had identified significant issues within the published assessments and proposals, particularly regarding ... view the full minutes text for item 267. |
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Member Questions No Member Questions have been submitted prior to the publication of the agenda.
A Member of the Council may ask the Leader or a Cabinet Member a question on any matter in relation to which the Council has powers or duties or which affects the Cotswold District. A maximum period of fifteen minutes shall be allowed at any such meeting for Member questions.
A Member may only ask a question if: a) the question has been delivered in writing or by electronic mail to the Chief Executive no later than 5.00 p.m. on the working day before the day of the meeting; or b) the question relates to an urgent matter, they have the consent of the Leader to whom the question is to be put and the content of the question is given to the Chief Executive by 9.30 a.m. on the day of the meeting.
An answer may take the form of: a) a direct oral answer; b) where the desired information is in a publication of the Council or other published work, a reference to that publication; or c) where the reply cannot conveniently be given orally, a written answer circulated later to the questioner. Additional documents: Minutes: 1. Councillor Jon Wareing Councillor Wareing began by commending officers and members for producing what was described as an infrastructure-led draft Local Plan, recognising the importance of planning, delivering and maintaining infrastructure alongside development. He noted that many communities across the Cotswolds were already experiencing infrastructure deficits arising from previous development and argued that housing growth, economic development and tourism all created demands on infrastructure that should be planned for according to their impacts, rather than solely their sources. He observed that, while the draft Local Plan recognised the effects of tourism in the Cotswold Lakes and included policies for managing visitor impacts in that area, it did not contain an equivalent strategic policy framework for settlements experiencing sustained visitor pressures, such as Bourton-on-the-Water and Bibury. He referred to the National Planning Policy Framework and examples from the Lake District National Park Authority, suggesting that the concept of "settlement carrying capacity" should form part of the Council's spatial planning strategy. He therefore asked whether the Cabinet would amend the draft Local Plan by introducing settlement carrying capacity as a strategic planning consideration through a new core policy. He proposed that such a policy should establish a framework for identifying settlements experiencing exceptional and sustained visitor pressure and ensure that the environmental, physical, social and community impacts of visitor demand, together with infrastructure capacity and settlement resilience, were recognised within the District's spatial strategy, thereby providing an enduring planning framework for the future unitary authority.
The Leader thanked Councillor Wareing for his question and invited officers to respond to the technical aspects before asking the Cabinet Member for Tourism to comment. The Director of Communities and Place advised that the draft Local Plan already contained policies addressing tourism-related development, specifically Policies 46 and 47. The Local Plan was not the principal mechanism through which visitor activity or tourism levels could be controlled. Officers considered that the proposed policies represented the fullest extent to which such matters could appropriately be addressed within planning policy. The Director further confirmed that the Cotswold National Landscape Management Plan also contained relevant policies, including Policies CB15 and CE14, which addressed aspects of visitor management within the National Landscape. Councillor Evemy requested that these policies be shared with Councillor Wareing for reference.
Councillor Tony Dale, Cabinet Member for Leisure , Culture and Visitor Experience acknowledged the significant challenges experienced by communities affected by high visitor numbers, including Bourton-on-the-Water, Bibury, South Cerney, Siddington, Fairford, Lechlade, Maiseyhampton and other settlements across the district. He advised that the planning system was not designed to regulate visitor numbers directly and that the principal challenge lay in managing the impacts of tourism rather than controlling demand. Councillor Dale stated that officers had extended planning controls as far as was considered appropriate within the Local Plan while remaining consistent with planning legislation and the requirements of the Planning Inspectorate. He also appealed for visitors to respect local communities by parking responsibly, complying with regulations and protecting the environment, noting that further powers to ... view the full minutes text for item 268. |
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Purpose To make a series of recommendations, principally relating to the Publication of the Local Plan for six weeks consultation in August and September 2026 and submission to the Secretary of State in December 2026 for independent examination.
Cabinet will consider any recommendations and comments from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 3 August 2026.
Cabinet will make recommendations to Council on 12 August 2026.
Accountable Member Councillor Juliet Layton – Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning.
Report Author Andrew Maxted - Head of Planning Policy and Infrastructure.
Additional documents:
Decision: The purpose of this item was to consider a series of recommendations relating principally to the Publication of the new Cotswold Local Plan for 2026-2043 (Regulation 19) for a six-week consultation from 24 August to 5 October 2026 and its subsequent submission to the Secretary of State in December 2026 for independent examination.
Councillor Juliet Layton, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, introduced the report and highlighted that the Local Plan represented a major milestone and would provide the planning framework for the district for the years ahead. It was noted that the Regulation 19 consultation was the final stage before independent examination and that timely submission was important to avoid the plan having to restart under the new planning system. It was also noted that the examination was anticipated in 2027, with adoption of the Plan expected in March 2028.
Members noted that the plan had been informed by extensive consultation and engagement and sought to provide a framework for housing, employment, infrastructure and environmental improvements. The importance of ensuring that development was supported by appropriate infrastructure was emphasised, alongside the need to provide affordable and appropriate housing and to protect the character and environment of the district.
Cabinet also considered the comments and recommendations made by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee following its consideration of the Local Plan at the meeting on 3 August 2026. These included matters relating to infrastructure provision at strategic sites, transport infrastructure, accessibility of consultation information, communication with the public about the need for the plan, water and sewage infrastructure, and the impact of tourism on infrastructure. Recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee
It was noted that work on transport infrastructure could continue alongside the Regulation 19 consultation and that arrangements would be made to ensure the consultation was accessible, including public exhibitions and meetings, the availability of hard copies of documents and communications to households across the district.
Members also considered a number of proposed material changes to the draft Local Plan, including amendments to housing site allocations, changes relating to Cirencester town centre, the inclusion of a potential very light rail corridor between Kemble and Cirencester, and amendments relating to habitat sites.
Cabinet recognised the significant concerns expressed regarding the scale of housing growth required by national targets, but noted the importance of having an up-to-date Local Plan in place to provide greater control over development, infrastructure and design standards and to reduce the risk of speculative development. Members also thanked the Planning Policy team for the significant work undertaken in preparing the plan and its supporting documents.
The recommendation was proposed by Councillor Juliet Layton, Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning and seconded by Councillor Paul Evans, Cabinet Member for Health and Communities.
Cabinet RESOLVED to recommend to Council to: 1. Agree that the Cotswold Local Plan 2026 – 2043 (Regulation 19) document, including the material changes agreed by Cabinet (supplement E), be published for six weeks consultation from 24 August 2026 to 5 October 2026. ... view the full decision text for item 269. Minutes: The purpose of the report was to seek approval of a series of recommendations relating principally to the Publication of the Cotswold Local Plan at Regulation 19 for a six-week consultation from 24 August to 5 October 2026 and its submission to the Secretary of State in December 2026 for independent examination.
Councillor Juliet Layton, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, introduced the report. It was noted that the Regulation 19 consultation represented the final consultation stage before independent examination and that the Plan needed to be complete, justified and ready for examination by a Planning Inspector. The Local Plan would replace the 2018 Plan and provide an evidence-based planning framework for the delivery of new homes, employment land, infrastructure and environmental improvements over the coming years. It was noted that the Plan had been informed by extensive engagement and previous consultations with residents, businesses, statutory bodies and community organisations. The timing of the submission was critical, as failure to submit the Plan by December 2026 would require it to restart under the new planning system and could delay adoption by several years. It was further noted that, without an up-to-date Local Plan and with the Council unable to demonstrate a five-year housing land supply, the district would remain subject to the presumption in favour of sustainable development, increasing the risk of speculative and fragmented development. Members noted the significant increase in assessed housing need following changes to the National Standard Method in 2024. It was noted that the Plan sought to identify how this need could be accommodated within the district's environmental and infrastructure constraints, while recognising that some unmet need might need to be identified.
The Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee was invited to speak and addressed Cabinet to explain the committees recommendations.
Cabinet considered the recommendations and comments made by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee which included the importance of providing infrastructure identified for strategic sites in a timely manner, where possible before development commenced; further consideration of transport infrastructure; ensuring that the consultation was accessible to all; clear communication about the need for the Plan and the risks associated with not having an up-to-date plan; concerns regarding water supply and sewage capacity; and the impact of tourism on infrastructure. Recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee The Leader invited Member questions, there were none, and then opened the debate.
Members noted that infrastructure, including schools, roads, GP surgeries, water and sewage capacity, was a key concern in relation to planned growth. Members were advised that the Infrastructure Delivery Plan set out the infrastructure required to support sustainable growth and that further work on transport infrastructure could continue alongside the Regulation 19 consultation. Arrangements were being made to support public engagement during the consultation, including public exhibitions and meetings, the availability of hard copies of documents at Council offices, libraries and Town and Parish Council premises, and a newsletter to be distributed to households across the district. The concerns raised regarding the ... view the full minutes text for item 269.
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Carried