A HOUSING blueprint that lays out plans to build nearly 10,000 homes across the Cotswolds by 2031 has been approved.

Cotswold District Council was the last authority in the county to agree its Local Plan when it made a decision on Friday.

The Local Plan sets out where the 9,614 homes will be built across the 800-square mile district.

More than 3,000 of the homes have already been completed under the 2011-2031 Local Plan across the Cotswolds, which means that nearly 7,000 properties will need to be built in just over a decade.

Areas earmarked for development include Cirencester, Bourton-on-the-Water, Down Ampney, Fairford, Kemble, Lechlade, Northleach, South Cerney, Stow-on-the-Wold, Tetbury and Moreton-in-Marsh.

Councillors at Cotswold District Council’s special meeting last Friday voted for the large-scale planning proposal for the next 13 years by a majority of 15.

They also voted through the policy which will mean the council will receive money from developers to pump back into infrastructure to support the increase in the number of people living in the area.

The planning charge, known as the Community Infrastructure Levy, can be used to fund new or existing roads and schools.

The Chesterton Development, a housing project based on land owned by Lord Bathurst, will see 1,800 homes completed by 2031, a drop in the original figure of 2,350.

Commenting on the Council’s decision to adopt both documents, CDC’s deputy leader and cabinet member for forward planning Cllr Nick Parsons said: “I am very pleased that we now have in place two major policy that will help us manage future development effectively in the Cotswolds.

“The Local Plan includes a development strategy for delivering growth across the District up to 2031 and its policies will be the starting point for determining planning applications.

“Meanwhile, the CIL sets out a comprehensive charging schedule that will provide an appropriate basis for the collection of infrastructure levies across the District,” Cllr Parsons said.