Plans to build hundreds of new homes in Moreton-in-Marsh would be a ‘disaster’, say angry residents who say their town already can’t cope
Residents of a pretty Cotswolds town are furious over plans to build 1,500 new homes as part of plans that would double the local population.
The current raft of new-builds is not even half of the total proposed for the picturesque market town, Moreton-in-Marsh. Cotswold District Council’s draft local plan includes proposals for 3,300 homes across the area by 2041.
This comes after around 900 homes have been added to Moreton since 2011. Despite the UK facing a chronic housing shortage, residents say increasing the population of Moreton any more would be a “disaster” for their town.
Moreton-in-Marsh is a picturesque market town (Image: Getty)
Residents say more houses would be a disaster (Image: Getty)
Average house prices in Moreton have soared by 28.5% in the past year to £537,000. However, new-builds often sell for higher, as builders regularly charge a new-build premium.
But former transport planning officer Alan Nicholls believes the town must not grow any bigger. Mr Nicholls told the Mail Online that he spent his working life “looking at issues like this” – and he was ” 100 % certain” that development on the scale proposed “would be a disaster for the town”.
The 77-year-old widower said the town’s existing roads “can barely cope” with the current traffic volume. Mr Nichols said the proposals could add another 3,000 cars to the road – which he claims would create traffic “gridlock day and night”.
Residents say the plans will create traffic gridlock , day and night (Image: Getty)
Local estate agent Kate Davis has lived in Moreton all her life. The 43-year-old mother of two also believes building as many homes as planned would be “disastrous”.
She said residents already have to wait six weeks to see a GP unless it’s a medical emergency. Mrs Davis also said that the primary school is already full – and that the nearest secondary school is 10 miles away.
She told the Mail that existing residents “just can’t cope with more houses and people moving into the area”. Mrs Davis argued it was particularly unfair on younger residents who cannot afford to buy homes in the town – because these would just be “more homes they can’t afford to buy.”
Moreton-in-Marsh alreqady can’t cope, an estate agent has said (Image: Getty)
However, Cotswold District Council has defended its draft Local Plan Update – and the proposals it contains for thousands more houses in Moreton. Council leader Joe Harris said: ‘We are committed to an infrastructure first approach to development.
“What’s more, upgrading infrastructure in Moreton, such as its wastewater treatment works, fixing traffic congestion, and improving town centre car parking, are all high priority issues that we will try to resolve in the Local Plan Update. The delivery of genuinely affordable homes for local people is a high priority for the council.
“However, we know the Local Plan Update must take a holistic approach to development, including delivering supporting infrastructure first, and tackling a wide array of issues. This is not only the case for Moreton-in-Marsh but also for the whole of the Cotswold District.” ‘
