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Agenda item

Local Plan Update Report

Purpose

To confirm the way forward for the Local Plan Update

 

Recommendation(s)

Subject to the resolutions of Cabinet on 10 July 2025, Council is recommended to:

AGREE to merge the two ongoing Local Plan projects:

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

2.      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.

 

Minutes:

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

 

The item was introduced by Councillor Mike Evemy, Leader of the Council, who noted that in December 2024, the Government had imposed new housing targets on the Cotswold District, increasing the annual requirement from 420 to 1,036 homes. This significant rise had placed the district—80% of which was designated as national landscape and held the highest level of protection—at serious risk. The revised targets reduced the Council’s housing land supply from over seven years to just 1.8 years, undermining the Council’s ability to resist speculative applications on Greenfield sites and weakening the effectiveness of its current local plan.

 

As a result of the changes in housing targets, developers might more easily appeal refused applications, with increased chances of success and heightened financial risk to the Council. Councillor Mike Evemy stated he would be writing to the Deputy Prime Minister to outline the district’s unique circumstances and question whether the new targets were proportionate.

 

The report laid out that the best and only way to respond effectively was to proceed at pace with a full update of the district’s Local Plan, which would strengthen the Council’s position on speculative development, allow for meaningful public consultation, support the delivery of socially rented homes and essential infrastructure, and ensure sustainable, locally guided growth.  A revised Local Plan would also provide a robust planning framework ahead of local government reorganisation. Councillor Evemy thanked the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and planning officers for their contributions and urged members to support the recommendations to move forward swiftly with the work.

 

The Chair invited questions for clarity.

 

Members thanked officers for the recent five-year housing supply briefings attended by both councillors and town and parish representatives. The risk of speculative development if no action was taken emphasised the importance of local decision-making and infrastructure delivery, while acknowledging the district’s housing shortage, particularly in social rented homes.

 

A member raised a query on behalf of a town councillor, asking whether parish and town councils with approved neighbourhood plans should begin reviewing them in light of the Local Plan review, and whether a new referendum would be required. They requested that clear guidance be provided to those Town and Parish Councils who had an approved Local Neighbourhood Plan in place.

 

Councillor Mike Evemy welcomed the comment about the importance of infrastructure and ensuring it was in place first.  It was important that decisions were made around site allocations and the necessary infrastructure. He also drew attention to the fact that the government had withdrawn funding for new neighbourhood plans, and new plans were not being invited, though those already in progress could continue.

 

The Principal Planning Policy Officer reported that several strong neighbourhood plans had already been made across the district, with others currently in development. They noted that the Council’s loss of its five-year housing land supply resulted in housing supply policies becoming out of date. However, the remaining local plan policies, including those within neighbourhood plans, continued to inform planning decisions. It was emphasised that neighbourhood plans remained valuable for providing locally specific policies and enhancing local democratic input. Despite the current planning balance favouring the granting of housing applications, neighbourhood plan policies still carried weight and contributed to securing high-quality development.  It was suggested that Town and Parish Councils consult the planning department if uncertain.

 

There were no further questions for clarity.

 

Councillor Juliet Layton seconded the resolution and explained that the Council was asked to support merging two planning projects—the partial local plan update and the development strategy and site allocations—into a single comprehensive Local Plan update. This consolidation aimed to regain local control over planning following government-imposed housing target changes. The approach was described as practical, cost-effective, and ambitious, saving up to £400,000 and enabling the Council to meet the government’s December 2026 deadline.

Much groundwork was already completed, and a strong governance structure, including  the re-establishment of the monthly oversight board chaired by the Council Leader, was being established to ensure transparency, accountability, and momentum. Public consultations were planned for autumn and spring, with comprehensive community engagement.  A dedicated project manager would be allocated to deliver against a detailed project. The updated plan focused on sustainable development, affordable housing, and infrastructure, aiming to reduce housing targets and avoid costly government interventions and appeals. It was confirmed that the Council would align its work with the emerging Gloucestershire strategic plan to ensure a smooth future transition into a new unitary authority.

 

The Chair then moved to the debate.

 

The critical importance of the local plan was emphasised by Councillor Tony Dale who urged members to fully support and accelerate its progress. The urgent need for affordable homes for young people was also highlighted and it was stressed that without a strong local plan, such homes would not be built. Attention was also drawn to supporting the local economy by ensuring that the plan would include suitable sites for new businesses to thrive. Members were urged to prioritise these issues and work to get the plan right before LGR and unification.

 

Councillor Tom Stowe stated that the Council was in a difficult position due to the government-imposed housing targets, which he described as poorly planned and harmful to rural areas like the Cotswolds. He emphasised the urgent need to fast-track the local plan update and supported the report’s recommendations. He noted the rise in planning applications for previously unsuitable locations and the increased risk and cost of appeals. Despite some outdated planning tools, he urged decisions to be based on remaining relevant policies to protect residents and the landscape. He called for reassurance on funding to complete the local plan and handle appeals.  Councillor Tom Stowe proposed an amendment to the resolution, requesting the addition of an opposition member to the Local Plan Oversight Board. Councillor Stowe was advised that the amendment would have to be no more than seven words long or it would have to be written down and circulated.

 

 

Councillor Mike Evemy explained that two recent changes had been made to the Oversight Board terms of reference at the recent Cabinet meeting and an updated version had been tabled at the meeting reflecting the changes made by Cabinet.  The included the addition of the Deputy Chief Executive to the membership of the Board.  The Leader did not agree with the opposition group amendment to add an opposition member to the Local Plan Oversight Board, clarifying that the board was a Cabinet group, to oversee the delivery of the local plan, not a cross-party working group. The Board was established to steer the project, with delivery being the Cabinet’s responsibility and accountability maintained through Council and Overview and Scrutiny.

 

Clarification was sought as to what the disadvantages of having an opposition member on the Board might be. The Leader clarified that the Cabinet-led Local Plan Oversight Board, while not a decision-making body, would exclude opposition members to allow private, efficient discussions with officers. He confirmed Cabinet accountability for delivering the project within 18 months and asked Council to note the circulated terms of reference.

 

Clarification was also sought regarding the status and terminology of the Local Plan Oversight Board. The Monitoring Officer confirmed that Cabinet had approved the establishment and terms of reference for the Board at its meeting the previous week. It was confirmed that the structure was constitutionally appropriate. The Head of Democratic and Electoral Services noted that the updated terms of reference reflected Cabinet’s agreement, and any proposed amendment—such as the addition of an opposition member—should be considered as a separate resolution.

 

The Chair moved to the vote on the additional resolution proposed by Councillor Tom Stowe and seconded by Councillor David Fowles which was

 

REQUEST Opposition Member on Oversight Board membership.

 

Voting Record:

12 For, 15 Against, 0 Abstentions.

Did not vote: Councillor Ray Brassington.

The amendment fell.

 

The Chair then moved to the debate on the substantive recommendations.

 

Councillors expressed strong support for progressing the Local Plan, acknowledging the significant pressures placed on planning officers and the challenges posed by government-imposed housing targets. Particular thanks were given to officers, especially Principal Planning Policy Officer, Matt Britton, for their efforts. Concerns were raised about the unrealistic nature of national housing targets given the local landscape, construction capacity, and developer-driven delivery models. Members stressed the need for robust communications and early engagement with residents to avoid backlash, citing previous examples such as Chesterton and Moreton. They supported the creation of the Oversight Board and requested regular reporting on progress, clear contingency planning, and early investment in the necessary resources to ensure timely delivery of the plan.

 

Councillor Mike Evemy summed up and acknowledged the challenging position posed by government-imposed housing targets and reaffirmed support for the Local Plan process. The Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning reiterated that delays were due to external factors such as the pandemic and not a reflection on officers, who were thanked for their continued hard work. Assurance was given that communications would be strengthened, with the Head of Communications already engaged to ensure residents were kept informed. The purpose of the Local Plan Oversight Board was clarified as a mechanism to keep the project on track, identify issues early, and provide necessary support and resources. Members were reassured that the Section 151 Officer was confident existing funding was sufficient but that any additional resource requirements would be addressed promptly. The importance of delivering genuinely affordable homes, particularly for young people, was emphasised, and all members were encouraged to support the resolution.

 

The Chair then moved to the vote on the resolution which was proposed by Councillor Mike Evemy and seconded by Councillor Juliet Layton.

 

Voting Record:

28 For, 0 Against, 0 Abstentions.

Supporting documents:

 

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