TOWN councillors have urged Cotswold District Council (CDC) to ensure it is “satisfied beyond doubt” that the traffic impacts caused by a proposed 2,350-home development are “not severe” before making a decision.

Members of Cirencester Town Council planning committee were asked to consider a report prepared by i-Transport which examined the potential traffic impact on areas to the south and east of the proposed Chesterton site.

Both CDC and Gloucestershire County Council had requested the report be prepared, which looks in detail at the severity of traffic, namely on Siddington, South Cerney and Ewen.

Speaking at a meeting last Thursday, Cllr Stuart Tarr, committee chair, said: “The outcome of i-Transport's technical report is, I quote, that: 'The residual cumulative impacts of the development on areas to the south and east of the site are not severe'.

"The town council, at this point, are merely asked to note that and express a position."

Members questioned some of the wording of the report, including the definition of “severe” during the meeting.

“I'm trying to work out the combination of 'residual' and 'cumulative',” said Cllr Patrick Coleman, also deputy mayor of Cirencester.

"It could be really bad without being severe," he added.

Following some discussion over the report’s findings, Cllr Tarr concluded: “The planning committee does still have concerns and would urge the district council to be satisfied beyond doubt that the impacts are not severe, in their consideration of the application.”

Cllr Roly Hughes (Chesterton) and Jenny Hincks (Watermoor) are two of three CDC ward members barred from voting on the application, along with Cllr Ray Brassington (Four Acres), as per council rules.

At the meeting, Cllr Hughes asked: “Can we [himself and Cllr Hincks] comment on this, because we’ve been banned from voting on this by CDC?”

However, Cllr Tarr said: “There's no reason why you can't in your role as town councillors.

“In fact, even at the district council when this application comes, you can't vote but you can make submissions and you can speak.”

Plans for the proposed estate have been developed to coincide with CDC's Local Plan as a strategic site to take much of the government’s housing allocation for the district in one area, and protect against future speculative applications.

The application, submitted by Bathurst Development Ltd, includes up to 100 units of student accommodation and 60 homes for the elderly, as well as a primary school, neighbourhood centre, employment land and playing fields.