What to do about shops shutting and how to deal with traffic influxes were just some of the issues touched on by Cirencester’s town councillors yesterday as they voted to seek new planning powers.

With the upcoming House of Fraser closure and the Chesterton housing development in mind, Cirencester Town Council voted on Thursday, July 26 to begin a process that could end up giving the council direct influence over planning decisions.

Councillors were discussing whether to start preparing a Neighbourhood Plan, an optional planning toolkit for communities introduced by the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition via the 2011 Localism Act.

Though it could take three years to write and then must be signed off by residents of Cirencester through a referendum, a Neighbourhood Plan would give the council more of a say over where it wants new homes, shops and offices to be built, what these buildings should like as well as the town’s infrastructure.

Cirencester would be following in the footsteps of towns like Tetbury and Lechlade, which have their own Neighbourhood Plans. 

But one stumbling block is that any plan has to be consistent with the vision of the area’s main planning authority: Cotswold District Council.

However, the district council has welcomed the vote.

"We welcome the news that members of Cirencester Town Council have decided to proceed with a Neighbourhood Plan, which will further develop a shared vision for Cirencester and help shape future development and infrastructure in the town," said a spokesperson.

"We also look forward to working constructively and collaboratively with them on a blueprint for the town centre, in line with the District Council’s Local Plan."

Indeed, town councillors at yesterday’s meeting were ambitious about what they could achieve with a Neighbourhood Plan.

“It is now considered the right time to take the lead on planning,” read the motion put before town councillors.

“A Neighbourhood Plan does not mean just adding more detail to the district council’s plan - it could mean new policies,” added the town council’s chief executive officer Andrew Tubb, explaining how the town council could go beyond the district's council's agenda for Cirencester.

Before voting, councillors voiced specific ideas of how they would deploy a Neighbourhood Plan.

“It could help us mitigate the impact of Chesterton,” argued Stuart Tarr, suggesting a Neighbourhood Plan could empower the town council to deal with increased traffic from the new housing development.

Cllr Tarr also argued the Neighbourhood Plan could provide the council with the tools to help protect Cirencester’s high streets, pointing to the recent House of Fraser closure announcement.

Though he stressed that while a Neighbourhood Plan does not mean the town council would be able to stop store closures, it could instead provide the council with more ways to respond and find new uses for empty shop fronts. 

Cirencester's only university - the Royal Agricultural University - also got a mention, and a Neighbourhood Plan could help the university get more green, suggested deputy mayor Patrick Coleman.

With the go-ahead given, the council will now begin the process of drawing up the plan, consulting the community and discussing with the district council - but it is not expected to be ready until at least February 2021.

In the meantime, check back with the Wilts & Glos Standard as we explore what a Neighbourhood Plan could mean for the town.