PROPOSALS to build thousands of homes in Cirencester came under fire once again as blueprints for the development were put on display.

Bathurst Development Ltd (BDL) is proposing to build 2350 homes in the Chesterton area of the town and the development has been included in Cotswold District Council's Local Plan document.

At the Bingham House Gallery in Cirencester last week, John Thompson & Partners (JTP) designs for the development, were exhibited ahead of the plans being submitted to Cotswold District Council before Christmas.

The proposals have been widely criticised by residents and councillors ever since they were first announced last year.

Many that oppose the development including residents group Save Our Cirencester (SOC), which staged a protest outside the exhibition, believe that Cirencester does not have the infrastructure to cope with the new homes.

And those that that attended the JTP exhibition said that the event did nothing to calm their fears.

Ray Brassington, Cotswold District Council councillor for the Four Acres ward, said: “The development is far too large, to have 2350 houses in one spot in the town is far too much. It is going to cause a lot of problems with traffic.

“I spoke to a number of members of the public and nearly everybody was of the same opinion that it was too large and that it was going to have a detrimental effect in Cirencester.”

Cirencester Town Council ward councillor for Chesterton, Roly Hughes, said: “There are a lot of families in Cirencester that need homes but the figure for Chesterton is far too big.They are planning too many homes in too little spaces.”

Cotswold MP Geoffrey Clifton Brown said: “Having seen the plans on Saturday I think there are certain areas of the development that are too dense, and therefore I believe the number should be reduced to 2,000, possibly with student accommodation on top. I am well aware that having discussed this matter with the protest group afterwards, they feel this number is still too high.

“The town definitely needs to see an improvement to its infrastructure because it is having to cope with this large-scale development. I understand the town council has requested some of these improvements which are helpful but there does not seem to be any aspiration for a long term outer ring road which I have proposed.”

Mr Clifton Brown added that Cotswold District Council’s policy of 50 per cent affordable housing is too high but for a large scale development like Chesterton it will need to be very carefully considered before the grant permission is granted.

SOC conducted a survey on 200 people that attended the exhibition that recorded a 95% opposition to the plans.

A spokesman for BDL defended the proposals for the development.

He said: “Chesterton is the right location for these new homes as it is in a highly sustainable location. This scheme will help deliver a wide range of benefits, including, millions worth of improvements to the local road network an extensive upgrade to local footpaths and cycle links to the town centre100 acres of public open space.

“We will continue to engage with local residents and stakeholders over the coming months and we also look forward to continuing the constructive engagement with Save Our Cirencester, who have been cordial throughout.

“This development will contribute significantly to the future prosperity and sustainability of Cirencester as a market town. 
 
“When it comes to comparing levels of growth, it is important that we are comparing similar locations, not only in terms of the town itself but the surrounding area.  The relevant context here is the Cotswolds.  The housing requirement to 2031 arises from the Cotswolds and it is in the Cotswolds where it needs to be met.  In this context, the Council’s Local Plan has identified 17 “most sustainable locations” where development is being concentrated with increases between 10% and 35%.”