COTSWOLD District Council has announced that, in order to focus on the major planning applications for major planning applications at Kingshill, Cirencester, it will not be continuing with work on the Kingshill master plan.

The district council has been working productively for some time with the community on emerging proposals for the two large housing sites allocated at Kingshill North and Kingshill South in the Local Plan.

Several events have been held and newsletters produced to keep people involved with progress and offer opportunities for the public to make comments on the master plan for the Kingshill area.

Towards the end of 2006 - before completion of the master plan - planning applications were submitted proposing development on both sites.

The council is obliged to consider these applications within a nationally prescribed period. The applications broadly accord with Local Plan policies and have taken on board many issues that have emerged through community engagement on the master plan.

There is no likelihood of a master plan being completed before the applications are determined, and the council is not able to refuse permission solely because a master plan has not been produced first.

Forward planning manager Chris Vickery said: "Clearly, there is little point in completing the master plan after the applications have been determined - it's like putting the cart before the horse."

The council has therefore decided to not continue with the master plan, but to channel its efforts into ensuring that the applications reflect the community's aspirations.

Mr Vickery added: "Re-focussing our efforts way from the master plan will neither prejudice the quality of development at Kingshill, nor will community wishes be ignored.

"The master planning process has already enabled the wishes of local people to be incorporated into the application proposals.

"Moreover, comments arising from the last event, in November 2006, have been fed into the development control process and are helping to shape the council's consideration of the applications.

"The Kingshill developments are the most significant to take place in the area for many years and the council fully recognises the importance of them to the future of Cirencester and, particularly, to people living nearby.

"It will be redoubling its efforts to ensure that the planning applications deliver the best possible development and associated facilities for the community."