It is all GO at Cotswold District Council with a number of key consultations launched this month.
Kicking off proceedings with their Local Plan update Regulation 18 consultation, CDC state that they are seeking to make their Local Plan “Green to the Core.” A Reg. 18 consultation is an early stage in the plan making process and this one builds on consultation responses received in 2022 and also responds to changes in national guidance.
The consultation consists of a number of key elements:
- updated Local Plan policies;
- a vision, objectives and development strategy topic paper – the aim of this is to get the ball rolling on how the Council addresses development needs to 2041;
- a Call for Sites;
- feedback on infrastructure in your local area.
There is also an interim Integrated Impact Assessment which will support the consultation and will include an appraisal of the development strategy options and the draft policies. This assessment will be available from the 9th February 2024.
The consultation closes on 07 April 2024 and you can find out more and participate here.
If you require professional help and guidance in your submission then Plainview Planning is very well placed to assist in making these types of representations. Previously we have queried settlement boundaries, put forward sites for inclusion via the call for sites process, highlighted local need for policy on things like granny annexes and farm diversification, and assessed housing supply figures. If you are considering making a representation for this current Local Plan, then feel free to contact us to see how we can best help you make your voice heard.
Draft Cirencester Town Centre Masterplan
In its early stages, CDC wants your opinion on its draft Framework Masterplan as it seeks to test and develop ideas. Once finalised, the masterplan will be a supplementary planning document (SPD) and therefore, sensibly CDC aren’t consulting on it in isolation. They are also running 2 other consultations concurrently, these are the Local Plan update (as mentioned above) and the Cirencester Neighbourhood Plan.
The key elements they are seeking feedback on include: the vision and principles of the masterplan, access, movement and parking; land uses; a new east west trail through Cirencester; connecting the Amphitheatre to the Town; and development ideas for Old Station, Sheep Street and Brewery and the Forum.
It is a great opportunity to get involved and have your say on the future of this most vibrant market town. Find out more here. The consultation closes on 17th March 2024.
CDC Call for sites!
Alongside the Regulation 18 consultation, CDC is also undertaking a Call for Sites. They are looking for sites to help deliver or respond to all the development needs identified in the Local Plan, including affordable housing, employment and commercial development, renewable energy, gypsy and traveller pitches etc.
Site submissions should be made on land that is available for development and, in regards to housing, the Council is seeking sites that can deliver 5 or more dwellings. In regard to economic development, sites need to be 0.25 hectares or more (or 500 square metres or more of floor space). Furthermore, they are unlikely to allocate land in areas with high flood risk.
For the Council to be able to make a fair assessment on the suitability of a new site, or to receive updated information on an existing site, they require a Call for Sites form to be submitted. This should include, but is not limited to:
- Land ownership details;
- Site details;
- Site location plan;
- Potential uses and capacity;
- Site suitability issues and mitigation;
- Site availability issues;
- Site deliverability issues;
- Confirmation of whether the site has been submitted previously.
Careful and comprehensive preparation is crucial to ensure your submission clearly presents the suitability of your site for development and how any issues can be mitigated in the future. The team at Plainview Planning are very experienced, not only in assessing the suitability of a site for development, but also in preparing robust and persuasive submissions that showcase the development potential of your site in its best light.
Furthermore, our team regularly helps landowners promote land as potential strategic development sites and we offer a variety of services and packages, from consultancy services to fully funded solutions via our sister company, Context Land.
The deadline for submissions is 24th March 2024. Don’t miss your chance to have your say! If you feel you have a site suitable for housing or employment use and want to understand more about its development potential, then get in touch today.
Deadlines for responses to the Local Plan consultation and Call for Sites is 07 April 2024. The deadline for responses for the Cirencester Town Centre Masterplan, and Neighbourhood Plan is 17 March 2024.
About us
We are Plainview Planning – a solutions orientated, experienced and knowledgeable team of planning consultants. If you need professional and informed planning support with your development project, then contact our team via enquiries@plainview.co.uk, to see how we can best assist you, providing the site address and a brief overview of your project. We value your privacy and any information which you provide will not be shared outside of our company and will only be used in relation to your enquiry.
Resources:
- Cirencester Neighbourhood Plan Regulation 14 Consultation (link)
- Cotswold District Council Call for sites (link)
- Cirencester Town Centre Masterplan (link)
- Cotswold District Council Local Plan Update consultation (link)