Full Draft Cotswold Housing Strategy

Fairford Town Council Feb 21 2024 at 2:11PM on page 11

Is the strategy sufficiently flexible to take account of changes, e.g. in planning legislation and support schemes, that are likely in the next few years?

Fairford Town Council Feb 21 2024 at 2:01PM on page 19

What mechanism is there for choosing different housing association partners, to ensure competition and avoid a monopoly which could be detrimental to service?

Fairford Town Council Feb 21 2024 at 1:56PM on page 23

Measures (including regulation of terms/conditions) are needed to keep affordable (part-buy part rent) housing in the affordable sector and not allow them to be bought privately and therefore taken out of the first-time buyer market.

Fairford Town Council Feb 21 2024 at 1:24PM on page 55

The Fairford Neighbourhood Plan was made and has been in force since 05 June 2023.

Fairford Town Council Feb 21 2024 at 1:17PM on page 42

Is the method of measuring second homes accurate (e.g. if different household members nominate different properties as their primary residence)?

Fairford Town Council Feb 21 2024 at 1:15PM on page 42

Second Homes and Holiday Lets – How much burden do these place on local infrastructure and services (as well as taking from local housing supply) and how much do these actually contribute to the local economy? Some disincentive for these through the tax system should reduce the pressure from nationally-driven development on the level of local house prices.

Fairford Town Council Feb 21 2024 at 1:11PM on page 39

(Objective 4.1 and 4.2) Employment opportunities, transport links and community facilities (such as leisure centres) are important as well as housing quality. Much more attention needs to be paid to the sustainability of smaller towns in the district apart from Cirencester.

Fairford Town Council Feb 21 2024 at 1:10PM on page 41

(Objective 4.1 and 4.2) Employment opportunities, transport links and community facilities (such as leisure centres) are important as well as housing quality. Much more attention needs to be paid to the sustainability of smaller towns in the district apart from Cirencester.

Fairford Town Council Feb 21 2024 at 1:06PM on page 37

B. Reducing food costs by creating spaces for people to grow their own food – There is only limited land available for allotments and there are significant costs of on-going management of this. Traditionally, much of the space for this was in private gardens, which also provides better security - unfortunately important in today's world - but the densities of modern developments do not provide for this. Is there a case for allowing lower densities in more rural towns/villages?

Fairford Town Council Feb 21 2024 at 12:59PM on page 33

We support the aim, but would question the feasibility of requiring (rather than simply encouraging) higher energy efficiency through Local Plan policies than national standards. There is also an issue of what standards to specify in what is a changing legislative environment - as we found when developing such a policy for our Neighbourhood Plan.

Fairford Town Council Feb 21 2024 at 12:52PM on page 29

Designating areas outside the AONB such as Rural Areas would reflect the reality that they have similar characteristics in terms of housing needs, and smaller developments need to make a proper contribution to affordable housing – However, this should not exclude small market towns such as Fairford, which are a key part of these areas. Our interpretation of the legislation is that the SoS has the power to do this outside the current definition (i.e. by new Orders). However, it should also be possible to do this by designating these smaller towns and their surrounding areas separately. These are also arguably more suitable locations for affordable housing than remoter villages which are more dependent on car transport for employment etc.

Fairford Town Council Feb 21 2024 at 12:40PM on page 27

Neighbourhood Plans are not likely to deliver much Affordable housing through T/P Councils’ 25% share of CIL – There are usually other local infrastructure priorities requiring catch-up of past under-provision associated with 'tilted planing balance' etc.

Fairford Town Council Feb 21 2024 at 12:37PM on page 22

Given the tendency for owner/occupiers to enlarge existing homes, there needs to be more emphasis on smaller (hence more affordable) homes for new builds, to ensure renewal of the supply for younger buyers/downsizers – maybe a quota - and/or separately building larger homes to serve the 'upsizing' and other sector of the market. Recent increases in costs have made extending relatively less attractive, but this can change quite quickly with economic conditions.

Fairford Town Council Feb 21 2024 at 12:23PM on page 19

Need to make sure providers such as Bromford don’t undermine local sustainability by inappropriately developing small green spaces within existing estates – especially if this is for market housing.
In general, need to ensure small local amenity open spaces (in both existing and new estates) are better protected by planning policies.

Fairford Town Council Feb 21 2024 at 12:15PM on page 13

All new Housing is dependent on upgrading of already overstretched water and sewage infrastructure here (Fairford and no doubt some other places). These upgrades need to be enforceable by binding legal agreement, as envisaged in our Neighbourhood Plan policy.

Fairford Town Council Feb 21 2024 at 12:15PM on page 13

Fairford is already providing for additional new housing through windfall developments and our recently made Neighbourhood Plan.
New housing – particularly affordable housing - needs to be better matched locationally to employment development (and not losing existing employment sites to housing)
Need to understand why young people leave the area and what could attract them back; also what attracts others to move into the area.
Some housing is beneficial in town centres, but in some places this has already gone too far, with the result that some smaller centres such as Fairford are struggling to retain sufficient commercial space to maintain ‘critical mass’. To safeguard these local services, there is a need to apply planning policies to stop the conversion of irreplaceable high street frontages e.g. to provide entrance halls for residential properties in town centres (See policy in submitted Stow-on-the-Wold Neighbourhood Plan as an example of how to address this). May need to implement Article 4 Directions in certain centres to protect commercial space where availability is very limited (as here).

Sue Stapely Feb 21 2024 at 12:08PM on page 11

Rate payers are entitled to more transparency about what exactly happens to the S106 payments received by Councils. We need to know how much the total amounts are, to whom they went, when and what precise purpose, at what cost, they will be used. Ideally, local rate payers/residents should be asked to identify the expenditure they would welcome for what improvements locally.

Fairford Town Council Feb 21 2024 at 12:08PM on page 13

The importance of providing affordable housing, particularly social rented, in the right places in relation to both need and services (including sustainable transport) and employment (where possible) is clear, but a key question is how it is to be provided and paid for. This also requires a sound economic strategy for the District (as part of the Gloucestershire County strategy).

Sue Stapely Feb 21 2024 at 12:07PM on page 11

it is rare to see candour about the costs of committing to environmentally beneficial changes in housing. It is now accepted by financial advisors that a new replacement gas boiler costs on average £3,000, whereas a retro-fitted new heat pump costs an average of £13,000. The running costs of the new boiler will be slightly less per annum than that of the heat pump which will cost an average of £150 pa MORE than the boiler. People need to know with truthful comparisons like this. Similarly, the cost of retro-fitting home chargers for EVs can exceed £1,500, so if we are serious about persuading drivers to buy more expensive electric vehicles, then all new builds should be fitted from their construction with adequate numbers of chargers for every household to be able to charge an EV if they wish. Future proofing seems not to get much attention in these documents.

Sue Stapely Feb 21 2024 at 12:02PM on page 10

Again, CDC is claiming credit for providing many 'affordable' homes yet local people repeatedly say that the vast majority of new builds in the Moreton area are not what they regard as 'affordable'. It's time to be honest and specific and give an indication of what CDC regards as the actual average wage locally for a range of typical jobs, the average total income for an average household/family and the number of flats and houses to buy or rent which people on this level of income can genuinely afford to contemplate committing to buy or rent.

Sue Stapely Feb 21 2024 at 12:00PM on page 7

Don'[t forget the need for affordable rentable property when citing the evolution of the housing situation.

Sue Stapely Feb 21 2024 at 11:59AM on page 7

This skews the whole debate with too much emphasis on home ownership. Round here the availability of affordable RENTAL properties is of great concern, and it is misleading if all CDC's materials seem to be concerned only about those who wish to buy and couples/families looking to acquire their own homes. Throughout Europe the UK is the country most obsessed with home ownership, with all the issues and costs of maintenance and and shared responsibilities. Many of the new houses in Moreton have unfinished snagging lists. Some have problems with raw sewage and water services still not remedied by Thames Water. Other estates have found that the grass and common green spaces are not being kept up in accordance with maintenance contracts. Young child-free people are often happy to flat share, or share a modest house but there seems little recognition of different types of occupants. Older retired local people are often happy to downsize from their now too large, unaffordable homes but cannot find properties which while having few bedrooms and a smaller footprint, provide adequate space inside or in a garden to welcome their family hospitably from time to time.

Sue Stapely Feb 21 2024 at 11:54AM on page 6

Why not show on a map just how Moreton and Cirencester have both been extended and expanded since the last Local Plan so newcomers to the debate can see and understand the real impact of CDC's decision-making on Moreton and Cirencester?

Sue Stapely Feb 21 2024 at 11:52AM on page 5

The emphasis throughout this document is on CDC informing the residents about its strategies. Very little, and on some pages nothing, about the residents informing CDC of their wishes, receiving a hearing and acknowledgement of concerns and some revision of policies to accommodate local preferences of those who actually have to live and work daily in the town about which your decisions in Cirencester are being made.

Sue Stapely Feb 21 2024 at 11:50AM on page 5

Could we please have a Master Plan lead by a skilled experienced Master Planner rather than a 'Corporate Plan'? The incoherent piecemeal development which has already doubled Moreton's size in the past two decades has not been as part of a long-term coherent strategy for the expansion of the town, nor is it creating a genuinely mixed community. In fact the town is becoming more divided monthly with the newcomers on the new estates often barely integrating into the town's activities and the residents who are second or third generations of Moreton residents not engaging with the residents on the estates. This creates the antithesis of social cohesion.

Sue Stapely Feb 21 2024 at 11:47AM on page 4

I welcome the mention of 'innovation' and hope this is carried through into innovative designs and approaches to housing those deemed suitable for accommodation in new and social housing here. After much research it is clear that some very unimaginative properties are being created all over the Cotswolds and few new ideas being successfully adopted in other parts of the UK and Europe are rarely tried here unless it is by affluent self builders and those able to commissioned their own architect-designed new home. Compliance with Design, Environmental and Climate Aware guidance does not always produce homely, beautiful properties where people will be happy and flourish. Solar panels on the roof, for example, can give rise to some problems, as have been reported, but it is rare to read of solar panels hidden discreetly in gardens round the back of houses, which produce the same energy saving and blend more pleasingly with the environment of a predominantly Cotswold stone town.

Sue Stapely Feb 21 2024 at 11:42AM on page 4

with an Election on the horizon and some rather different housing priorities being outlined by the party currently thought most likely to form the next government, isn't it a bit premature to be finalising plans for the radical redevelopment of Cirencester and Moreton through till 2041 without full regard to the proposals which are likely to be leading the housing debate from the autumn? While Liberal Democrats on CDC may be following their own party's policy and strategy central government may in the near future take a rather different view.

Sue Stapely Feb 21 2024 at 11:39AM on page 3

It would help if the over-used word 'affordability' could be defined. There is much confusion but many of the smallest, least expensive new builds on the outskirts of Moreton are not deemed 'affordable' by child-free young couples and singletons who would like to start buying or renting properties near their place of work. Flats for the child-free or fit but retired, small houses with low maintenance overheads, better provisions for children and reasonable gardens all contribute to a healthy mixed community and are being created so much more successfully in other parts of the country. Increasingly the visitor experience to places like Moreton is disappointing. We may now have planning in place for a 12th tea shop, but the focal point of the town, the Redesdale Hall is under scaffolding for the third year, pending unaffordable repairs, the retail experience is very basic with high street shops going under most months, the traffic is perpetually disrupted by repairs to the railways bridge at one end of the high street and a major construction site blocking traffic at the other end. The much vaunted station, which seems the reason Moreton is in the firing line for doubling in size again is rarely manned, there is insufficient parking, trains running unreliably and expensively and not covering routes that locals and visitors want. If it is expected that visitors and new employers will come to Moreton this needs to be taken into account as well as the alleged needs of more residents to be added to the 5,500 households which are currently struggling to function in a town without a proper leisure centre, without access to NHS doctors or a dentist, with no facilities for disaffected youngsters, or funds to maintain some of the historic properties which are falling into disrepair, whose owners can not comply with the required maintenance constraints on listed properties. The town deserves a Master Plan and a proper period of consultation to ensure that the necessary expanded infrastructure in in place BEFORE more people are invited to move into the town.

Sue Stapely Feb 21 2024 at 11:30AM on page 2

All documents being produced in this supposedly consultative period are overlong, too complex and time-consuming properly to digest and absorb by the average busy resident who wishes to take part in deciding the future of the place where s/he has chosen to make their home. The time period is woefully short and inadequate and just one 'drop in' meeting, rather than a series of properly chaired presentations with time for Qs and As to the decision makers is simply not good enough. The level of cynicism about the transparency of the decision-making process and the assumptions on which many of the future policies seem to be based is considerable and many residents already feel, particularly in Moreton-in-Marsh, that their little market town, already struggling with collapsing infrastructure will once again be doubled in size without providing the services and amenities which are not available currently, let alone once the new builds have been completed. We fear that the aesthetics of the new estates which leave much to be desired will continue with yet more very similar dull, identical, unimaginative and genuinely 'unaffordable' properties are currently being built on green field sites without the emphasis on providing the genuinely affordable, modest properties and social housing which are badly needed, but only once the proper infrastructure has been created to address Moreton's many current concerns.

Mary Cobbett Feb 21 2024 at 11:18AM on page 9

Is there any idea how many unaccounted for, potential home seekers are in the Cotswolds? Single young people trapped living with their parents and don't put themselves on the housing list as they know they have no priority or likelyhood of accessing social housing?

Emma Flood Feb 21 2024 at 11:13AM on page 39

Through the Housing Strategy and Local Plan process, the Council must ensure it considers all options relating to the overall distribution of development throughout the region and have proper regard to the development needs of all settlements, including recognising the challenges and opportunities facing each in ensuring their continued sustainability. Bromford are committed to helping shape, and deliver communities that provide all residents the opportunity to thrive and we know this can be best achieved by delivering homes in areas that already have facilities such as established public transport links, proximity to employment opportunities and amenities or the ability to deliver such services and opportunities through the provision of an entirely new community, which requires collaboration with an extensive range of partners at the earliest possible opportunity.

Emma Flood Feb 21 2024 at 11:02AM on page 22

Some consideration should be given to properties that are being under occupied and how best to get these released back to the affordable housing market. This would allow more suitably sized families to be rehoused in these properties and allow for better allocation of the affordable housing stock in the district.

Mary Cobbett Feb 21 2024 at 10:56AM on page 41

Child Poverty Action Group has just produced a report on the problem in rural areas of policies not taking into account the cost of transport - no public transport and need to continue having cars to move around. It traps youths particularly from being able to take up the opportunities of access to education, jobs etc and to increase their social mobility an age old problem we have had in the Cotswolds.

Emma Flood Feb 21 2024 at 10:50AM on page 19

Bromford strongly supports the councils commitment to delivering Social Rented homes. Social rent provides the most sustainable tenancies for customers which in turn provides a more stable and settled environment for customers to thrive.

Emma Flood Feb 21 2024 at 10:45AM on page 16

Objective 1.1 point G. regarding self-builds raises some concern. The requirement to provide self-build plots on 100% affordable schemes poses some challenges with grant allocation. In order to be able to apply grant to the scheme the self-build plots would need to be delivered as shared ownership self-build homes. It is asked that consideration is given to this area to allow a more flexible approach for 100% affordable schemes. Greater flexibility in terms of plot sizes, custom-build options and marketing strategies would help make this policy more achievable for affordable housing providers when delivering 100% affordable schemes.

Emma Flood Feb 19 2024 at 1:14PM on page 5

Bromford supports the delivery of social rented homes in the district, but asks that consideration be given to the delivery of low numbers of affordable homes in rural locations, where transportation, employment and amenities are often scares. It is appreciated that the very nature of the Cotswold’s is such that new housing schemes are often smaller and therefore the provision of affordable housing numbers on those sites is lower, but isolating tenants presents challenges when trying to create a thriving community. Additionally, car ownership is essential in these types of location which is a challenge when trying to balance the delivery of affordable homes with Priority 3 & 4.

Emma Flood Feb 19 2024 at 12:48PM on page 9

Whilst overcrowding is an issue within the district, is there any information around under occupied properties? Releasing under occupied properties back to the affordable housing market and reallocating homes to more appropriately sized families presents an opportunity to free up larger family homes within the district, making better use of the housing stock available.

Emma Flood Feb 19 2024 at 12:42PM on page 19

Bromford Housing Association strongly supports Objective 1.2 particularly point B around maximizing land use where regeneration is taking place and increasing the number of social rented properties on these sites where possible.

Stephen Andrews Feb 18 2024 at 4:04PM on page 56

This document is being consulted on in 2024. A Housing Strategy Action Plan should not be confined to year 1, but, by reference to other information should be able to demonstrate that it is a practical strategy that can be delivered. The result should be a rolling review that considers year 5 in outline, highlighting issues that might need to be dealt with in subsequent plans as that year gets closer such that when it becomes year 1 those issues can be seen to have been dealt with and robust Delivery Plan for year 1 can be actioned.

Stephen Andrews Feb 18 2024 at 3:51PM on page 2

Implementation will be the key. Roughly the first two thirds of the historic period from which achievements are noted was under a previous administration with legacy programmes from that period still being implemented. A table showing the anticipated delivery of housing by type over the period of this strategy with reference to the source information held in other documents would lend credence to this being a well thought out strategy that has been credibly checked as deliverable and is not just a fine set of aspirational words.

henry kenner Feb 3 2024 at 9:08PM on page 35

Whilst i applaud this i would ask that we ensure that the addition of nesting cavities for Swifts is ensured- the Local Plan has provision, but just wish to reiterate this; so Swift Bricks or Swift Boxes are needed to ensure this species survival as you seek to understandably better insulate existing and new buildings

Steve McKinty Jan 23 2024 at 4:54PM on page 38

Comment

The reference to "the weakening pound" is spurious. Although the rate goes up & down over time, as with any currencies, the GBP:EUR rate now is little changed from where it was 7 years ago, and only 3% less than 10 years ago. The biggest impact was the 2008 financial crash, whose effects have largely passed.

Sandra Price Jan 23 2024 at 11:19AM on page 42

Comment

Fully support A & B.
Actively pursuing this could bring back many more homes.

Sandra Price Jan 23 2024 at 11:16AM on page 37

Comment

How can B be achieved if higher housing density is permitted and homes have little or no garden?
Do you intend to create more allotments or community gardens? If so where?

Sandra Price Jan 23 2024 at 11:14AM on page 33

Comment

Conservation staff must be supportive and realistic about this, particularly in conservation areas.

Sandra Price Jan 23 2024 at 11:12AM on page 31

Comment

This consultation is running at the same time as the Car Park consultation. In reality, unless we have massively increased public transport, the car parks, and more car parking spaces are needed in Cirencester. Please don't build on the car parks. This would have a terrible consequences for the town- shoppers, businesses and quality of life for local residents would all be badly affected.

Sandra Price Jan 23 2024 at 11:06AM on page 24

Comment

Does CDC have a Vacant Buildings Credit Policy? If not, is it introducing one?

Sandra Price Jan 23 2024 at 11:02AM on page 19

Comment

Building control needs more resources to ensure that affordable homes built by private developers (often on estates) are up to the required standard. Housing associations should not be put in a position of having to do remedial works on new build properties

Sandra Price Jan 23 2024 at 10:55AM on page 15

Comment

Are conservation staff fully aware and supportive of these policies. Housing and planning staff will be aware of the problems and costs created by excessive conservation demands a few years ago in North Cerney.

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Full Draft Cotswold Housing Strategy

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