Agenda item

Local Plan Update

Purpose

To consider the way forward for the Local Plan Update.

Recommendation

That Cabinet resolves to:

1. RECOMMEND to Council to merge the two ongoing Local Plan projects:

· the partial update of the adopted Cotswold District Local Plan (2011-2031); and

· the Development Strategy and Site Allocations Plan,

into a single comprehensive Full Local Plan Update in conjunction with incorporating work of the Gloucestershire Strategic Plan, where appropriate, with a view to submission in 2026 and adoption in 2027.

And, subject to Council approval of 1, Cabinet resolves to:

2. UPDATE the Council’s Community Infrastructure Levy in parallel with the Local Plan process.

3. INVEST in additional resources to accelerate the delivery of the Local Plan to enable the December 2026 submission deadline to be hit.

4. CONFIRM the delivery of the Local Plan as a Council priority.

5. RE-ESTABLISH the Local Plan Oversight Board and confirm a new Terms of Reference.

Decision:

The purpose of the report was to confirm the way forward for the Local Plan.

Councillor Juliet Layton, Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, introduced the item.

The recommendations were proposed by Councillor Juliet Layton and seconded by Councillor Mike Evemy.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

Recommended to Council to resolve to merge the two ongoing Local Plan projects currently known as:

a) the partial update of the adopted Cotswold District Local Plan (2011-2031); and

b) the Development Strategy and Site Allocations Plan,

into a single comprehensive Full Local Plan Update, incorporating work of the Gloucestershire Strategic Plan, where appropriate, with a view to submission of the single Local Plan in 2026 and adoption in 2027.

Voting record:

6 For, 0 Against, 0 Abstain

And further, subject to Council approving the merging of the plans at Full Council on 16 July 2025, Cabinet also RESOLVED to:

1. Update the Council’s Community Infrastructure Levy in parallel with the Local Plan process.

2. Invest in additional resources to accelerate the delivery of the Local Plan to enable the December 2026 submission deadline to be hit.

3. Confirm the delivery of the Local Plan as a Council priority.

4. Establish a Local Plan Oversight Board and confirm a new Terms of Reference.

Voting record:

6 For, 0 Against, 0 Abstai.

Minutes:

The purpose of the report was to confirm the way forward for the Local Plan.

Councillor Juliet Layton, Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, introduced the report, recommending that Cabinet propose to Council the merging of the Partial Update of the Cotswold District Local Plan 2011–2031 with the Development Strategy and Site Allocations Plan into a single, comprehensive Local Plan. The proposal aimed to align with the Gloucestershire Strategic Plan where appropriate, with the objective of submitting the Local Plan to the Planning Inspectorate by December 2026 and securing adoption by late 2027.

To meet the submission deadlines a timetable was proposed:

Regulation 18 Consultation: by September 2025
Regulation 19 (Pre-submission) Consultation: by June 2026
Submission to Planning Inspectorate: by December 2026

It was noted that failure to meet this timetable could result in delays of 5 to 7 years if local government reorganisation led to the creation of a new unitary authority, which would likely require restarting the process.

The urgent need for an updated Local Plan to maintain control over development in the district was highlighted, especially in light of the revised government housing target of 1,036 new homes per year. Councillors also noted the challenge posed by the fact that approximately 80% of the district falls within the Cotswold National Landscape (formerly AONB), significantly limiting land available for development. The importance of using up-to-date evidence, including an updated flood risk map from the Environment Agency, to support the case for a more realistic housing requirement was noted.

Cabinet also noted the tension between government-imposed housing targets and the district’s climate ambitions. While higher-density urban development was more sustainable, members reaffirmed their commitment to delivering the best plan possible within current constraints and to challenging arbitrary housing targets where supported by robust evidence.

The Deputy Chief Executive and S151 officer and the Cabinet Member for Finance spoke to the financial implications of delivering the Local Plan and councillors noted that a total of £1 million had been allocated to the Local Plan programme to date. This included:

An initial £500,000 in core budget provision
A further £250,000 from internal resources
A £240,000 grant from the Local Plan Delivery Fund (awarded March 2025)
An additional £70,000 grant related to the Green Belt review

The Cabinet Member for Finance confirmed that any residual funding gaps would be manageable within existing contingency planning.

Cabinet acknowledged the need for external consultancy support to meet tight delivery timescales and noted that some consultancy costs had already been anticipated in the budget forecasts.

Officers also confirmed that further resource requirements would be monitored closely, and contingency funding options considered by the Deputy Chief Executive and S151 Officer as work progressed.

Cabinet noted forecast savings of between £300,000 and £400,000 by moving from a twin-track Local Plan update to a single comprehensive plan, thereby reducing duplication of process, consultation, and evidence gathering.

Cabinet considered the establishment of a Local Plan Oversight Board, to meet monthly and monitor delivery. The Board would include:

Cabinet Members
Deputy Chief Executive and Section 151 Officer
Officers from Planning Policy
Relevant advisors

The Terms of Reference would be updated to reflect Cabinet input, including the removal of political group designations, to focus on delivery and accountability.

Cabinet acknowledged the importance of engaging Town and Parish Councils as key stakeholders, and that the Statement of Community Involvement was being adhered to, with further consultation planned.

The need for clear communication, balanced against available resources, to support the plan’s successful delivery was acknowledged.

Concerns about the Cirencester Town Centre Masterplan were mentioned and the Assistant Director of Planning confirmed that an update would be provided to councillors with a full report expected to Cabinet in October 2025.

Cabinet received and appreciated six key recommendations from Overview and Scrutiny, as outlined by Councillor Blomefield and a full response to the recommendations was tabled at the meeting. Responses are summarised here:

1. Timely Updates to Overview and Scrutiny Committee

That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee receives timely and regular updates as the Local Plan continues to develop, ensuring appropriate oversight and scrutiny throughout the process.

Cabinet welcomed ONS's involvement and committed to providing regular updates, proposing a meeting to agree how and when scrutiny would take place.

2. Communications and Engagement Strategy

That a publicly available communications and engagement strategy be prepared for the Regulation 18 and 19 consultations, setting out:

· Methods of engagement (digital, in-person, targeted)

· Stakeholder mapping, including hard-to-reach groups

· Resourcing plans

· Validation of AI-generated summaries

· Plans to lobby government on unrealistic housing targets

Cabinet supported a strong engagement strategy beyond statutory requirements, including clear communication on site allocations, validation of AI summaries, and lobbying government on unrealistic housing targets.

3. Engagement with Town and Parish Councils

That Town and Parish Councils are engaged in two-way dialogue on site allocations and development priorities from June 2026 as part of the Regulation 19 consultation.

Cabinet fully agreed and committed to proactive engagement with Town and Parish Councils, recognising them as key stakeholders in shaping site allocations and development priorities.

4. Establishment of a Local Plan (Contingency) Reserve

That Cabinet considers establishing a Local Plan Contingency Reserve as part of the 2026/27 Budget Strategy and MTFS Update in October 2025.

Cabinet noted the suggestion and said while currently considering the existing £1 million funding sufficient, they would review the need for a contingency reserve in August 2025.

5. Assessment of Resource Sufficiency

That Cabinet reviews whether proposed resources are sufficient to manage identified risks.

Cabinet agreed this was essential, confirmed resources have been reviewed, and added the Section 151 officer to the oversight board to ensure continued financial oversight and risk management.

6. Resourcing of Business-as-Usual Planning Functions

That adequate resources are maintained for core planning functions, including applications and enforcement, and this is reflected in the 2026/27 Budget Strategy and MTFS Update in October 2025.

Cabinet fully accepted the recommendation, assuring that core planning services would be protected, with additional funds used to avoid diverting staff from essential planning operations.

Councillor Layton concluded by thanking officers, the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, and councillors for their ongoing support. She emphasised that the Council was building on four years of preparatory work and reiterated the shared commitment to protecting the Cotswolds while delivering a viable and timely Local Plan.

The recommendations were proposed by Councillor Juliet Layton and seconded by Councillor Mike Evemy.

The recommendations were proposed as two separate votes.

Vote 1. To confirm the way forward for the Local Plan

Voting record:

6 For, 0 Against, 0 Abstain

Vote 2. To approve recommendations subject to Council approval of the recommended way forward for the Local Plan

Voting record:

6 For, 0 Against, 0 Abstentions.

Supporting documents:

Agenda item

Local Plan Update

Related Pages