PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS DOCUMENT IS CURRENTLY BEING REDRAFTED AND THEREFORE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Stow on the Wold and Swell Neighbourhood Development Plan 2017-2031 DRAFT Revision 12

©Stow-on-the-Wold Town Council and Swell Parish Council 2017

Stow-on-the-Wold Town Council and Swell Parish Council 2017

©Stow-on-the-Wold Town Council and Swell Parish Council 2017 Stow-on-the-Wold and Swell Neighbourhood Development Plan 1

Foreword

Welcome to the Stow-on-the-Wold and Swells preparation of the Plan and I look forward to Neighbourhood Development Plan. receiving the support of the community so that both councils can put the Plan into action. In this, the first Neighbourhood Development

Plan for Stow-on-the-Wold and Swell Parish

(“the Plan”), we have used the provisions in the Ben Eddolls new Localism Act to prepare a plan which Chairman should ensure the future of Stow-on-the-Wold Stow on the Wold Town Council and the Swells.

The Localism Act seeks to shift power from central government into the hands of Jolyon Grey individuals, communities and councils, by giving Chairman them the right to shape their local areas Swell Parish Council through Neighbourhood Development Plans. It is vital therefore that for Stow-on-the-Wold and the Swells, we have a Plan which has the backing of the community to provide guidance when decisions are made about the future of our town and parish. This Plan builds on the Stow Community Strategic Plan which was approved by Stow Town Council in February 2011, the wide range of documents produced by Cotswold District Council in the preparation of the Cotswold Local Plan, the Cotswold District Plan 2011- 2031 (June 2016) which is in its final stages of approval, and other guidance covering the Plan area. The policies, projects and actions identified in the Plan should support and encourage a community where people can lead active and fulfilled lives in the place where they live and work. Stow Town Council and Swell Parish Council will ‘champion’ and provide support and encouragement for these policies. They will also monitor the Plan’s progress to make sure that the local community is kept informed. We should like to extend our sincere thanks to all those who have helped with the

©Stow-on-the-Wold Town Council and Swell Parish Council 2017 Stow-on-the-Wold and Swell Neighbourhood Development Plan 2

Acknowledgements

Stow-on-the-Wold Town Council and Swell Parish Council would like to thank the following individuals and groups for their assistance in preparing the Neighbourhood Development Plan:

To be completed by Stow TC and Swell PC

©Stow-on-the-Wold Town Council and Swell Parish Council 2017 Stow-on-the-Wold and Swell Neighbourhood Development Plan 3

Neighbourhood Development club • Additional sports and leisure facilities for Plan Summary young people, including an adventure playground, and skate/BMX Park Stow-on-the-Wold and Swell Neighbourhood • A town museum Development Plan will guide the development • More parking of the parishes of Stow-in-the-Wold and Swell • Better access to public transport from 2011 to 2031. It should be read together • A reduction in through traffic, especially with Cotswold District Council’s ‘Cotswold HGVs District Local Plan 2011-2031’ which covers the whole of Cotswold District. The Local Plan contains a wide range of policies which could Plan Goals have an impact on Stow and Swell parishes, but these are not repeated in the Neighbourhood In response to these concerns, the Plan has Development Plan. adopted 4 broad goals to ensure that: • The unique townscape and environment of The Neighbourhood Development Plan Stow and Swell parishes and the AONB are contains a Community Design Statement and conserved and enhanced the District Local Plan contains the Cotswold • The community has an adequate supply of Design Code, both of which will help guide the affordable housing to meet its needs design of new developments, and alterations • The town’s economy is secured and and extensions to existing buildings. Stow developed Town Council and Swell Parish Council will • The community has appropriate consult these two Design Guides when infrastructure in terms of health services, responding to planning applications in their community facilities, traffic, parking, public areas. transport, and its green infrastructure.

What the Community told us Policies and proposals

The Neighbourhood Development Plan has To help to achieve these goals, the Plan been the subject of lots of research, discussion contains polices and proposals in 4 areas - and consultation which identified key issues Environment, Housing, the Economy and which the local community wishes the Plan to Infrastructure. address: • Conserving and enhancing the unique Location Plans for each of the proposals are townscape and environment of Stow and contained in Appendix 2. Swell parishes and the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - the AONB • The need for affordable housing for local Environment policies people • To be supported new developments will • Concern about the development of too need to: many assisted living/care units in the town • The need for the town’s economy to be - Conserve and enhance the unique maintained and developed character of the existing settlements and • A new medical centre the AONB environment • A leisure/community centre with a youth - Not adversely affect the character of

©Stow-on-the-Wold Town Council and Swell Parish Council 2017 Stow-on-the-Wold and Swell Neighbourhood Development Plan 4

Stow and Swell one time so that the fabric of the town has - Conform to the ‘Cotswold Design Code’ enough time to absorb the impact of new - Conform to the Stow and Swell housing developments and the increasing ‘Community Design Statement’ which is numbers of people living within its an integral part of the Neighbourhood boundaries Development Plan • Residential development proposals will only - Conform to the AONB, Conservation Area be supported where it can be demonstrated and Character Area Guidelines. that off-street parking provision is adequate • Development in the AONB outside the to meet likely future needs and complies settlement development boundaries will not with the Community Design Statement be supported • To be supported, development proposals • Developments proposed for the Plan area must demonstrate that they will make a will be rigorously tested against contribution towards the provision of environmental and design criteria. In order appropriate community infrastructure to do this, Stow and Swell Councils will set • Support will be given to development up an advisory group with suitable expertise, proposals that bring previously developed which will monitor the process by which land and existing buildings into use, developments are assessed, liaising with the provided the proposals conform to other District Council, and advising Stow Town environmental and design policies Council and Swell Parish Council on their • To ensure that the development of responses to planning applications as a additional care home accommodation for statutory consultee older people does not place an undue burden on the community’s resources or results in an unbalanced population, new Housing Policies care home provision for older people will only be supported where the developer can There are already permissions to develop 23 demonstrate clearly that the development houses for sale, 44 extra care dwellings, a 48 will provide accommodation for people place care home and 106 assisted living/extra already living in Stow and will not place an care units in Stow. additional burden on the local health and • The objectively assessed demand for at least social infrastructure. No such 27 affordable houses in Stow should be developments, other than truly affordable satisfied in a way that meets townscape and care housing for local older people will be AONB guidelines supported before 2031. • Any affordable housing created will be sold • The Plan proposes that the following sites or let through a Community Land Trust or will be developed for affordable housing by other appropriate organisation, to ensure a Community Land Trust or other affordable housing for local people in appropriate organisation: Stow Town perpetuity and minimising any incursion into Council allotments – 5 to 7 self-build houses; the AONB Stow Youth Club – 3 to 5 flats; Bartlett’s Park • In the letting or sale of new affordable – 2 to 4 houses; Fire Station. housing, priority will be given to local people in need of affordable housing who can also demonstrate a local connection on first and Economy Policies and proposals subsequent occupation • • New housing developments should be To provide suitable accommodation for limited to a maximum of 10 dwellings at any small businesses and to ensure that Stow

©Stow-on-the-Wold Town Council and Swell Parish Council 2017 Stow-on-the-Wold and Swell Neighbourhood Development Plan 5

benefits from the expansion of existing enhance the environment and improve businesses, the creation of new businesses pedestrian safety, investigation of the and any inward investing businesses, the possibility of the construction of a Stow former Stow Agricultural Services site should bypass is proposed. be reserved for business use, which may • The Plan proposes that the following include small workshops, business space and additional sites are developed for public craft shops. parking: White Hart Lane; to the rear of • To help to create new employment by Majestic Wines; Stow Town Council building on the large number of home allotments; Parson’s Corner; Back Walls; workers already living and working in Stow, Maugersbury Road Car Park; Fire Station new housing developments, which include • Part of the Rugby Club car park is proposed live/work units will be supported as a possible new ‘Park and Ride’ facility • To generate additional turnover and although this lies outside the additional employment by building on Neighbourhood Development Plan Area Stow’s attraction for tourists, a town • Existing local green spaces will be museum/heritage centre, craft shops and maintained, protected and enhanced town council offices located in the former • To create a green space network on the Magistrates Court and Police Station is town, Stow Town Council will seek to have proposed. the following sites designated as ‘green spaces’: QEII Field/Cricket Ground; King George’s Field and extension; Wragg’s Row; Infrastructure Policies and proposals Fountain Green; The Stocks Green; The Shrubbery; the triangular green at the • A new Medical Centre with 49 patients junction of The Park with Back Walls; the parking spaces located at Tall Trees is green in front of and to the west of The Bell supported Inn; The Wells; the green at the junction of • A new sports and community facility to be King George’s Field road with Oddington located on King George’s and/or QEII playing Road fields is supported. • The improvement of the Monarch’s Way

• Stow Town Council will work with the footpath is proposed Planning and Highways Authorities to create • A traffic calming scheme for Lower Swell is a parking policy specific to Stow’s needs and proposed. meets its unique requirements • To reduce traffic flows in the town and

©Stow-on-the-Wold Town Council and Swell Parish Council 2017 Stow-on-the-Wold and Swell Neighbourhood Development Plan 6

Contents

Introduction 7

1 Neighbourhood Development Plans and the planning system 8

2 History and character of the Cotswolds, Stow and the Swells 16

3 Issues facing Stow and Swell Parish 23

4 Vision and key goals for the Neighbourhood Development Plan 54

5 The policies to achieve the Plan’s goals 56

6 Land use projects and other actions 63

©Stow-on-the-Wold Town Council and Swell Parish Council 2017 Stow-on-the-Wold and Swell Neighbourhood Development Plan 7

The Stow and the Swells been extensive consultations with residents, interested parties, the business community and Neighbourhood Development others with an interest in the town and parish. It Plan builds on the Stow 2011 Community Plan, and the 2015 Stow Housing Needs Survey. Guidance has been sought from Cotswold District Council and the format of the Plan follows the District Introduction Council’s instructions. Details of the consultations, evidence gathering and decision The Stow-on-the-Wold and Swells making have been recorded in a Consultation Neighbourhood Development Plan (“the Plan” Report which is available on Stow Town Council’s or “the Stow Plan”) is part of the Government’s website and provides an overview of the approach to planning set out in the Localism Act consultations, demonstrating that they fully which came into force in April 2012. The Stow accord with the requirements of the Localism Act Plan has been developed by a Neighbourhood and meet the requirements of Regulation 14 of Plan Steering Group made up of members from the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Stow Town Council, Swell Parish Council and Regulations 2012. The Plan has been amended people from the local communities. in response to comments and other information The Plan identifies the opportunities and the received during its preparation particularly in the issues facing the town and parish, provides a Cotswold Local Plan. The Plan is in seven parts: vision and key goals for the future, and proposes 1. Neighbourhood Development Plans and planning policies, projects and actions which the planning system – sets the Plan in the should help to achieve the vision and goals over context of national and local legislation the life of the Plan to 2031. The Localism Act 2. History and character of the Cotswolds, states that policies in the Plan must be in line Stow and Swell – provides a snapshot of with the National Planning Policy Framework and the Cotswolds and the Plan area the relevant Local Plan, which in this case is the 3. Current opportunities and issues facing Cotswold District Local Plan 2011-2031 (the Local the town and parish – considers the Plan). For brevity “Stow” is used in the Plan to current situation, the Local Plan proposals refer to the whole Plan area unless otherwise and the community’s responses to four key stated. topics: historic and natural environment, The Neighbourhood Plan focuses on the issues housing, the economy and infrastructure facing Stow Town and Swell Parish which were 4. The vision and goals for the identified through research and public Neighbourhood Plan – sets out the goals consultation. It has considered the Local Plan which will guide the policies in the Plan policies in detail and the impact that they might 5. Neighbourhood Plan policies – the policies have on the issues facing the town and parish. to achieve the goals Local Plan policies that are relevant to the issues 6. Projects and actions - that should help to identified in the Plan are referenced in the Plan. achieve the goals and deliver the policies Where the Plan is silent on particular issues the 7. Supporting documentation – documenta- policies in the Local Plan will apply. tion that legislation requires to accompany the Plan. The Plan has been developed over a period of more than three years during which there have

©Stow-on-the-Wold Town Council and Swell Parish Council 2017 Stow-on-the-Wold and Swell Neighbourhood Development Plan 8

1 Neighbourhood Develop- homes, shops and offices to be built, have their say on what those ment Plans and the new buildings should look like and planning system what infrastructure should be provided, and grant planning permission for the new buildings What is neighbourhood they want to see go ahead. planning?1 Neighbourhood planning provides a powerful set of tools for local 1.1 Unlike ‘Parish’ or ‘Community’ Plans, a people to ensure that they get the Neighbourhood Development Plan right types of development for forms part of and sits alongside, the their community where the Local Plan prepared by the local ambition of the neighbourhood is planning authority. Decisions on aligned with the strategic needs planning applications will be made using and priorities of the wider local both the Local Plan and the area.’ Neighbourhood Plan. Because of this, • Local communities can choose to: Neighbourhood Plans are covered by detailed central government guidance - ‘set planning policies through a and legislation, most notably that: neighbourhood plan that will be used in determining planning • Neighbourhood Development Plans applications’ should: - ‘Grant planning permission - ‘Support the strategic develop- through Neighbourhood Develop- ment needs set out in Local Plans, ment Orders and Community including policies for housing and Right to Build Orders for specific economic development development which complies with - ‘Plan positively to support local the order’. development, shaping and - ‘Neighbourhood planning is not a directing development in their legal requirement but a right, area that is outside the strategic which communities in England can elements of the Local Plan choose to use. Communities may - ‘Identify opportunities to use decide that they could achieve the Neighbourhood Development outcomes they want to see Orders to enable developments through other planning routes, that are consistent with their such as incorporating their neighbourhood plan to proceed proposals for the neighbourhood - ‘Neighbourhood planning gives into the Local Plan, or through communities direct power to other planning mechanisms such develop a shared vision for their as Local Development Orders and neighbourhood and shape the supplementary planning docu- development and growth of their ments or through pre-application local area. Communities are able consultation on development to choose where they want new proposals. Communities and local planning authorities should

1 Department for Communities and Local Government Planning Practice Guidelines

©Stow-on-the-Wold Town Council and Swell Parish Council 2017 Stow-on-the-Wold and Swell Neighbourhood Development Plan 9

discuss the different choices annex. communities have to achieving their ambitions for their Sustainable development neighbourhood. 1.2 The National Planning Policy Framework - ‘Neighbourhood planning pro- 2 requires local plans to seek to achieve vides the opportunity for sustainable development which the communities to set out a positive NPPF says has three dimensions - vision for how they want their economic, social and environmental: community to develop over the next ten, fifteen, twenty years in • An economic role – contributing to ways that meet identified local building a strong, responsive and need and make sense for local competitive economy, by ensuring people. They can put in place that sufficient land of the right type planning policies that will help is available in the right places and at deliver that vision or grant the right time to support growth and planning permission for the innovation; and by identifying and development they want to see’. coordinating development require- - ‘To help deliver their vision, ments, including the provision of communities that take a proactive infrastructure; approach by drawing up a • A social role – supporting strong, neighbourhood plan or Order, and vibrant and healthy communities, by secure the consent of local people providing the supply of housing in a referendum, will benefit from required to meet the needs of 25 percent of the revenues from present and future generations; and the Community Infrastructure by creating a high quality built Levy arising from the environment, with accessible local development that takes place in services that reflect the community’s their area’. needs and support its health, social - ‘Neighbourhood planning can and cultural well-being; and inspire local people and • An environmental role – contributing businesses to consider other ways to protecting and enhancing our to improve their neighbourhood natural, built and historic than through the development environment; and, as part of this, and use of land. They may identify helping to improve biodiversity, use specific actions or policies to natural resources prudently, deliver these improvements. minimise waste and pollution, and Wider community aspirations mitigate and adapt to climate change than those relating to including moving to a low carbon development and use of land can economy’. be included in a neighbourhood 1.3 It is against this background that the plan, but actions dealing with non Plan has been prepared. land use matters should be clearly identifiable. For example, set out in a companion document or

2 National Planning Policy Framework 3 Cotswold District Local Plan 2011-2031: submission draft reg.19 June 2016

©Stow-on-the-Wold Town Council and Swell Parish Council 2017 Stow-on-the-Wold and Swell Neighbourhood Development Plan 10

Significance of the Cotswold Environmental, community and social, District Local Plan3 economic and transport proposals should only be included where they 1.4 The current ‘approved’ Local Plan for relate to changes to buildings or land‘. Cotswold District is the Cotswold Local 1.7 The Cotswold Local Plan also states that: Plan 2001-2011. However, the emerging Local Plan - Cotswold District ‘The Cotswold Local Plan sits alongside Local Plan 2011-2031 (June 2016) is at the NPPF, which, together with national its final consultation stage before being Planning Practice Guidance (PPG), must submitted to an external Inspector for also be taken into account in making approval and if approved, will replace decisions on planning applications and the 2001-2011 Local Plan. The Stow in the preparation of local and Plan therefore seeks to take into Neighbourhood Development Plans. account the provisions in the emerging Neighbourhood Development Plans Local Plan 2011-2031. (NDP), when adopted, form part of the Local Plan. NDPs are prepared by local 1.5 When considering the content of the communities and can be as simple or as Stow Plan it is important to see this in detailed as local people want - provided the light of the national legislation they are in line with national planning which governs the Plan’s contents. It is policy and the relevant local plan. also advisable that readers of the Plan Where the Local Plan or any are aware of the contents of the current development plan documents are Cotswold Local Plan. This is a adopted after a NDP has already been substantial document which contains a adopted, the District Council will issue a wide range of polices not all of which statement of conformity to clarify are repeated in the Plan. whether any policies in the NDP have 1.6 The Stow Plan is based on the policies been superseded’. and proposals in the National Planning 1.8 Legislation states that, at the stage the Policy Framework (NPPF), Cotswold Local Plan has now reached: District Council’s Local Plan 2011-2031 (June 2016), the Stow Town Council’s ‘Any representations about the Local Community Strategic Plan 2011, the Plan should relate to the soundness of Stow Housing Needs Survey (June 2015) the Submission Draft Local Plan or to its and the consultations, research and compliance with legal requirements. survey work carried out by the Planning Regulations state that a local Neighbourhood Plan Team while planning authority should submit a plan bearing in mind the direction from for examination which it considers to be central government that: “sound” – namely that it is: ‘Proposals to be included in a • Positively prepared – the plan Neighbourhood Development Plan should be prepared based on a must relate to planning and strategy which seeks to meet infrastructure issues e.g. housing and objectively assessed development employment numbers; affordable and infrastructure requirements, housing types and location; design; including unmet requirements from conservation areas; listed buildings, neighbouring authorities where it is infrastructure and services. reasonable to do so and consistent

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with achieving sustainable conflict with the policies in the Local development; Plan. • Justified – the plan should be the 1.11 To ensure that the Stow Plan met the most appropriate strategy, when legal criteria for the preparation of the considered against the reason-able Plan, advice was sought on the format alternatives, based on proportionate and content of the Plan from Cotswold evidence; District Council and by consulting the • Effective – the plan should be relevant legislation. This indicated that deliverable over its period and based the Plan should focus on the goals the on effective joint working on cross- Plan seeks to achieve and the land use boundary strategic priorities; and policies it proposes to achieve these • Consistent with national policy – the goals. Although specific projects are not plan should enable the delivery of part of the Plan for statutory planning sustainable development in purposes, they are included in the Plan accordance with the policies in the as statements of actions intended to NPPF. achieve the Plan policies. Some of these ‘Representations made at this stage projects may not be land use based but should therefore focus on whether the may nevertheless help to achieve the plan meets the tests listed above. Plan’s goals. Representations can only be submitted 1.12 Government guidance requires that the in response to the contents of this preparation of Neighbourhood document. The consultation exercise is Development Plans must follow six not an opportunity to reiterate the broad stages which Government has set content of representations submitted in out in national guidelines4. These are: response to earlier consultation Stage 1: Defining the neighbourhood documents.’ Stage 2: Preparing the Plan 1.9 During the preparation of both the Local Plan and the Stow Plan, Stow Town Stage 3: Independent check Council made substantial Stage 4: Community referendum representations to Cotswold District Council about certain aspects of the Stage 5: The plan comes into legal force Local Plan which the Town Council did Stage 6: Implementation of the Plan. not feel were in the best interests of the town. 1.13 Further details of the Plan making process are contained in the Supporting 1.10 All of this means that, as things stand, Material. the Stow Town Council is not at liberty to change the proposals and policies in the Local Plan once the Local Plan is How the Stow Neighbourhood adopted. Stow Town Council may make Development Plan was prepared policies in the Stow Plan for additional actions to address the opportunities 1.14 Government guidance recommends and issues that it has identified in the that Neighbourhood Plans should build Plan area provided these policies do not on any consultation and planning work

4 The Neighbourhood Planning Regulations 2012 Neighbourhood Planning Regulations 2012

©Stow-on-the-Wold Town Council and Swell Parish Council 2017 Stow-on-the-Wold and Swell Neighbourhood Development Plan 12

that has already been carried out in the transport, educational and business community. The Stow Plan is the result issues facing the town. This was of a long planning process in Stow followed by two years in which a stretching back a number of years. number of surveys were undertaken, 1.15 In November 2000, the Government questionnaires distributed, the results published a Rural White Paper entitled analysed and roadshows held to keep ‘The Future of the Countryside', the community informed, and seek its introducing measures aimed at securing views on the issues facing the town and a strong future for rural communities. parish, and possible solutions to those The main objective was to provide ideas issues. and help with access to funding and, 1.17 The Steering Group has remained in with assistance from a number of place for the duration of the Plan different agencies, to address the preparation and was a key part of the changing face of the countryside and its community engagement process. It communities. Following the publication performed a number of important of the White Paper Stow Town Council functions including researching existing commissioned a Town Appraisal which plans and survey material, carrying out was followed by a Stow Business new surveys, holding roadshows, Appraisal, Parking Survey and Housing keeping a ‘consultation diary’, preparing Needs Survey which led to the creation reports on particular issues such as the and approval of the ‘Stow Community Community Design Statement and Strategic Plan’ in 2011. That year the parking, and consulting with Stow Government published the Localism Act businesses, the Cotswolds Conservation which set up Neighbourhood Board, local schools, the local surgery Development plans, followed by the and the owners of sites that might be Neighbourhood Plan Act and the considered for development. The National Planning Policy Framework in Group met together regularly with Stow 2012. The same year Stow Town Town Council representatives to report Council decided to prepare a on and discuss their findings in order to Neighbourhood Plan which covered the find out whether the outcomes of one town itself and later the same year Stow theme had an impact on other themes. Town Council decided to commission a The Group also acted as a ‘sounding Community Design Statement. The board’ of community opinion on the Community Strategic Plan was issues facing the town and parish, the submitted to Cotswold District Council proposals in the Cotswold District Local for approval but in August 2013 District Plan and the likely content of that Plan Council asked Stow Town Council to put as the planning process progressed. the Plan on hold in the light of the new 1.18 Most importantly in June 2016 Cotswold Neighbourhood Plan legislation. District Council issued the Cotswold 1.16 In March 2014, Stow Town Council District Local Plan 2011-2031. The Plan decided to proceed to prepare a is required to comply with the policies Neighbourhood Plan - a public meeting and proposals in the Local Plan. was held and members of the public 1.19 Preparation of the Plan comprised ten invited to join a Neighbourhood Plan stages some of which ran concurrently. Steering Group which would examine the environmental, health, parking, Stage 1: Definition of the area to be

©Stow-on-the-Wold Town Council and Swell Parish Council 2017 Stow-on-the-Wold and Swell Neighbourhood Development Plan 13

covered by the Plan Countryside’ • Stage 2: Setting up of a community 2002 - Stow on the Wold Town based ‘Neighbourhood Plan Steering Appraisal • Group’ 2003 - Stow on the Wold Business Appraisal Stage 3: Review of existing plans, • September 2009 - Gloucestershire studies, guidance and other relevant Local Area Agreement 2008-11 material, and consultation with the • October 2009 - Stow Parking Survey wider local community and • February 2010 - Stow Town Housing stakeholders to identify the issues, Needs Survey opportunities and constraints affecting • Jan 2011 - Stow Town Council the future of the Plan area, particularly approves the Stow Community the policies and proposals contained in Strategic Plan the Cotswold District Local Plan • 2011 - Localism Act comes into force Stage 4: Formulation and agreement on setting up Neighbourhood Develop- the vision for the plan ment Plans • 2012 - Neighbourhood Plan Act and Stage 5: Identification of the Plan goals National Planning Policy Framework to achieve the vision • June 2012 – Stow Housing Needs Stage 6: Identification of the policies Survey which will help to achieve the Plan goals • July 2012 – Stow Council announces intention to prepare Stow Stage 7: Identification of the projects Neighbourhood Plan and actions that could help to achieve • September 2012 - Neighbourhood the Plan goals Plan Designated area approved Stage 8: Bringing all this together into a • October 2012 – affordable housing draft Plan ensuring that the discussions Neighbourhood Plan is in line with • November 2012 – decision to national and local planning policies. prepare Community Design State- Stage 9: Consulting the local community ment and other stakeholders on the draft Plan • 2013 - Cotswolds AONB Manage- ment Plan 2013-18 Stage 10: Submitting the Plan for • August 2013 – original approval to Cotswold District Council as Neighbourhood Plan put on hold at the Local Planning Authority. request of Cotswold District • March 2014 – North Cotswold The Plan making timetable Parking Review • March 2014 - Inaugural 1.20 Planning for Stow has been under way Neighbourhood Plan community for a number of years and involves a meeting advertised considerable amount of research and • May 2014 - Survey of play and sports community consultation. It is also facilities covered by a wide range of legislation • August September 2014 – and guidance including: Neighbourhood Plan questionnaire circulated to all residents of Stow and • November 2000 – Government Rural Swells, in library, Stow Town Council White Paper ‘The Future of the office and at a barbecue in the town

©Stow-on-the-Wold Town Council and Swell Parish Council 2017 Stow-on-the-Wold and Swell Neighbourhood Development Plan 14

square, covering Housing, Health, • Oct/Nov 2015 – Stow Town Housing Parking, Transport, Environment and Needs Survey Education • Dec 2015 – scoping report on • 30 September 2014 – Natural Community Land Trust England publishes National • 17 and 23 Feb 2016 – Roadshows Character Area profiles: data for local with residents re Community Land decision making – the Cotswolds Trust • December 2014 – questionnaire • Feb 2016 - Business Survey and responses analysed Business Parking Survey • 2014/15 – traffic survey in Swells • March 2016 – Residents parking • January 2015 – consultation re survey including Swells in Neighbourhood • March 2016 – survey of residents of Plan Lower Swell re children’s Play Area • January 2015 – notification of revised • July 2016 – Core document sent to Neighbourhood Plan area CDC and discussion held with CDC. • 8th, 14th, 17th and 20th April – • June 2016 – Cotswold District Council Roadshows in St Edward’s Hall and publishes Draft Cotswold District other venues re questionnaire Local Plan results • Nov 2016 – Stow-on-the-Wold • July 2015 – Roadshow in Town Community Land Trust board elected Square during Stow Cotswold

Festival re content of Draft Neighbourhood Plan

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The area covered by the Stow Plan

1.21 The Stow Plan covers the whole of the Stow and Swell Parishes. The boundary of the Plan area coincides with the Town and Parish boundaries. After public consultation period the Plan area was approved by Cotswold District Council in March 2015.

Boundary of Plan area shown in blue

©Stow-on-the-Wold Town Council and Swell Parish Council 2017 Stow-on-the-Wold and Swell Neighbourhood Development Plan 16

2 History and character of The town is also about 2 hours by car from London. the Cotswolds, Stow and the Swells

Stow’s location

2.1 Stow and Swell – combined population 2,4315 (Stow 2042, Swell Parish 389) - are located in the north Cotswolds. They are well placed for employment and shopping, lying 56 miles south of Birmingham, 60 miles north east of Bristol, 30 miles north-west of Oxford, 55 miles north of Reading, 19 miles east of Cheltenham and 25 miles east of Stow location Gloucester, all of which are major centres of shopping and employment.

5 Plan Population 2011 Census Office for National Statistics

©Stow-on-the-Wold Town Council and Swell Parish Council 2017 Stow-on-the-Wold and Swell Neighbourhood Development Plan 17

Cotswold District - a portrait6 Natural and Historic Environment7 2.3 The Cotswolds is internationally 2.2 The Local Plan provides a snapshot of renowned for its natural beauty. The the Cotswolds and the main issues distinctive local building stone and the facing the area, many of which are many magnificent historic buildings are common to Stow. The Plan points out important parts of the character that that: makes the Cotswolds a famous tourist ‘The main challenge facing Cotswold destination. The natural environment is District is to plan for future a defining characteristic throughout the development requirements in the most District, especially within the Cotswolds sustainable way possible, making Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty provision for homes for local people, (AONB). jobs and community facilities, while 2.4 This distinctive heritage is reflected in: protecting the area’s outstanding natural and built environment’. • The market towns and villages, their settings and townscape heritage • The quality of the natural environment in the AONB • 144 Conservation Areas • 4,991 listed buildings • 239 Scheduled ancient monuments • 32 registered historic parks and gardens • 37 Sites of Special Scientific Interest • Over 260 locally designated Key Wildlife Sites 2.5 Since the District’s natural and historic environment is its greatest asset it is imperative that the character, appearance and diversity of the District is protected and wherever possible enhanced, especially within areas of high historic, landscape or nature conservation importance.

Housing

Stow and the Cotswolds 2.6 Household growth between 2001 and 2011 was 5.3% in Cotswold District (England 7.9%) whilst population growth at 3.1% has been slower, leading to a decrease in the average household size. The District has a high proportion

6 From Cotswold District Local Plan 2011-2031 7 Op Cit

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of elderly people and a low proportion fluctuations in the national and global of children and young people. economies. Unemployment rates are 2.7 The attractiveness of the area has relatively low. brought housing pressures, particularly 2.11 In 2011, almost 8,000 (13.3%) people in the north of the District, where Stow worked from home in the Cotswolds. is located. These pressures are driven This rate is double the national average by commuting to and from the West and significantly higher than Midlands. Movement out of London Gloucestershire’s average of 8.5%. This and the south-east has also made the is partly due to the rural nature of the Cotswolds particularly attractive for District and a highly skilled and retirement and holiday or second entrepreneurial workforce. homes. 2.12 The economically active population is 2.8 Although the area has high property declining across the District, and the values, the median earned income of all labour market is considered tight by employees in the Cotswold District is local businesses with labour supply £19,1318. Failure to provide an issues, particularly in the professional, appropriate mix of housing has led to skilled trades and engineering sectors, more economically-active people, potentially impacting on economic particularly the young, being forced to growth. Enquiries for employment land look elsewhere for somewhere to live. and premises, particularly from small, knowledge-based businesses who want The Economy to secure a quality environment or a site 2.9 Each of the larger Cotswold towns has a for an existing local business, tend to be strong and distinctive role. Moreton-in- focussed upon Cirencester and Marsh is regarded by many as the main established business parks. centre for the north Cotswolds, while 2.13 There are significant levels of retail Bourton-on-the-Water, Fairford, "leakage" of comparison (non-food Lechlade, Northleach, Stow-on-the- goods) shopping trips to other centres Wold and Tetbury perform the role of outside the District. The wholesale and service centres for surrounding rural retail trades represent the largest areas. employer in the District (17.3%). The 2.10 There is a range of employment land next largest groups are education and premises in most of the larger (10.7%) and human health and social market towns and villages and, despite work activities (8.3%). Cotswold has an poor broadband coverage throughout above average proportion of residents much of the District, the economy has a working in agriculture, forestry and strong representation of small fishing, accommodation and food businesses and a reasonably diverse services, and professional, scientific and economic base. These businesses make a technical activities. The service sector significant contribution to the economic accounts for the largest proportion of well-being of the District, offer local local jobs. employment opportunities, and have 2.14 Tourism is a major and growing part of made the area fairly resilient to the local economy. The challenge is to

8 Office for National Statistics, Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, 2014, www.nomisweb.co.uk

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enable and manage sustainable tourism, residents also work in the District, which will safeguard the countryside, excluding homeworkers and people heritage and culture for future with no fixed working location. Given generations while providing benefits to the rural nature of the area, average the local economy. travel-to-work times are longer than in 2.15 The District's economy has been most other parts of the County. resilient during the recession and it is forecast to continue to grow. However, 2.19 There is a high dependence on car travel the District imports labour to support its coupled with a significant proportion of growth and experiences problems residents, workers and tourist visitors recruiting suitably skilled staff, who commute daily into and out of the particularly in the professional, skilled District. This is in the main caused by a trades and engineering sectors. A well- paucity of public transport resources skilled and accessible workforce is with very limited destination and time necessary to support the growth of span scopes, exacerbated by the existing and new employers. dispersed nature of the District. Whilst there is reasonably good access via local Infrastructure A-roads to the motorway network, this 2.16 The continuing loss of village shops, does not apply to the northernmost post offices, schools and pubs has towns, including Stow on the Wold. meant that the retention of rural Stow is within short driving distance of services and facilities has become a key two railway stations, Moreton in Marsh issue throughout much of the District. and Kingham, both on the Cotswold line The relatively large and growing elderly allowing rail travel to Oxford, Reading, population, coupled with a reduction in London and beyond in one direction, the numbers of young people, has and to Evesham, Worcester and implications for the structure of Hereford in the other direction. Whilst communities and the demand for health both of these stations can be accessed and public services. by bus from Stow (Pulhams routes 801 & 802), these services do not readily 2.17 To help ensure the continued success of mesh with train times or indeed cover micro businesses, there is a need to the full span of train services. support the improvement of broadband Consequently, by necessity, car travel to speeds and mobile telecommunication stations is heavily used, especially for connections in many rural parts of the those passengers travelling on longer District. train distances. There is no easy rail 2.18 In 2011, almost 14,000 residents connectivity to Cheltenham or commuted out of the District; many Gloucester. The parking at Kingham has using the area as a rural base from been recently doubled in capacity, but which to commute to larger that at Moreton in Marsh is very limited, employment centres, notably Swindon, leading to overflow into that town. Cheltenham and Gloucester, where 2.20 Stow on the Wold, at the top of a hill, is there are higher value jobs. Conversely, a nodal point for eight roads in the almost 16,000 commuted into the North Cotswolds. Running north/south District, an increase of around 5,000 is the A429 (Fosseway) primary route. since 2001. Over 16,300 Cotswold Just south of the town, at the bottom of

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a hill, the A424 from Burford joins the caused in this part of the North A429, at the top of the hill, in the town, Cotswolds. the A436 from the east intersects at the 2.21 The A429 is the major north/south road Unicorn crossroads, this road having in east Gloucestershire and carries a been joined down the hill on the eastern very high proportion of transient traffic, side by the B4450 from Bledington and travelling through these two pinch Kingham (main access route to/from points. Furthermore, the A44, the main Kingham Railway Station). To the west road from London to Aberystwyth, at this Unicorn crossroads is the B4068, which routes through Oxford in the east a steep decline to Lower Swell, Naunton and Evesham/Worcester in the west has and Andoversford. This point, where been “tweaked” to eliminate most the A429 road only has one lane each HGVs entering Chipping Norton way, is the first major traffic pinch and (Oxfordshire), by an agreement congestion point, which is recognised as apparently between Oxfordshire and such in the Gloucestershire Local Traffic Gloucestershire Highways for such Plan (LTP), and is the most heavily used traffic to alternatively route Oxford to section of road in North Northleach on the A40, then north on Gloucestershire, carrying 20,000 the A429 Fosseway to Stow on the movements per day. Slightly further Wold, through Stow on the Wold and north up the A429, to the east, there is then north west on the A424 to rejoin the main entry road (High Street) to the the A44 at Troopers Lodge and vice Stow on the Wold town square which versa. Whilst this action reduced the takes all the visiting heavy traffic, HGV traffic through Chipping Norton, including many tourist coaches, and a Moreton in Marsh and Bourton on the major proportion of the light traffic Hill, it has increased this HGV traffic flow entering the town centre. Shortly over the A40, and in particular the A429 afterwards on the A429 is the junction through Stow, with associated with the B4077 (another steep decline) increased air pollution, and without any to Upper Swell and Tewkesbury to the compensating road upgrades, or west, together with the A424 (Evesham planned measures to alleviate the major Road) to the North West to join the A44 Cotswold pinch points on the A429 at at Troopers Lodge. This combination of Stow on the Wold. Furthermore, roads is the second major pinch point. current proposals to downgrade the Frequently, due to the convergence of A44 through Chipping Norton, and all of these roads, plus resultant associated air pollution in that town, compression of traffic onto this short should be treated with caution as, if section of the A429, the roadway implemented, they will further between the two pinch points is almost exacerbate the problems on the A429 at constantly congested, resulting in Stow and increase the air pollution tailbacks on all of the town approaches. levels in an area close to residential During peak hours, and in the holiday accommodation. seasons, these tailbacks can extend for a considerable distance. Indeed, during 2.22 The congestion problems on the A429 at a recent road resurfacing operation Stow on the Wold blight travel into and involving this second pinch point out of the town, especially at peak whereby the road was closed holiday times and weekends, constrict considerable traffic disruption was both business and tourism expansion of

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the town, and hinder normal movement environs a more pedestrian by residents; it is a stranglehold that environment. urgently needs to be resolved. This has been recognised for some time and it has been noted that the traffic levels Stow have increased significantly over the last 20 years without any compensatory 2.23 Stow (pop 2,041) is an ancient Cotswold improvement to the road. To raise wool town. It sits on a hill at about 800 awareness of this issue Stow Town feet above sea level, originally the Council detailed the problems in its location of an Iron Age fort beside the letter TPJBL0002 dated 15 August 2014 Fosse Way, the Roman road running to GCC (Commissioning Director – from Exeter to Lincoln. Originally called Communities & Infrastructure), copy to ‘Stow St. Edward’ or ‘Edwardstow’, after the MP, CDC and neighbouring towns. the town's patron saint, the town was As part of the follow up staff action GCC founded as a planned market place by Highways Authority formed the A429 the Normans to take advantage of its Fosse Way Task Group study in early unique position at the convergence of 2016 and its report was considered by eight trackways. GCC in November 2016. This report 2.24 The small settlement was controlled by noted the pinch point congestion in the local abbey and, when the first both Stow on the Wold and Moreton in weekly market was set up in 1107 by Marsh, the need to improve traffic flow Henry I, he decreed that the proceeds by road widening, further passing should go to Evesham Abbey. This places, plus consider the need for by- market continued for 800 years, only passes in the future for these two ceasing about 1900. towns. It noted that, unlike other inter 2.25 The main source of wealth in the county main roads in Gloucestershire Cotswolds was wool and Stow grew to which were maintained by Highways provide accommodation and other England, this was the only road not services for those visiting its fairs. Stow classified as a trunk road and as such Fair was the largest in England and was maintained by GCC. (This road was tradition says that during the fairs, every part of a GCC submission to DfT in house in the Square was turned into an November 2016 for inclusion in the alehouse. The character of the Fair Major Road Network (MRN) review). changed as the importance of wool Indeed, this non trunk status was a declined, and it became a horse fair, factor in allowing at appeal additional favoured by farmers, huntsmen, direct traffic access at the proposed professional horse dealers and gypsies. care home site next to Bretton House It is now the ‘gypsy horse fair’, one of south of Stow! In addition to these the biggest gatherings of its kind in traffic flow problems, the lack of parking England which attracts hundreds of close to Stow Town Centre continues to sightseers to Stow twice a year. In cause issues for business users, March 1646, the last important battle of residents and tourists alike. There is a the Civil War ended in the Square when need to develop land to provide the Parliamentary army under the additional parking and to render the command of Colonel Morgan historic town square and its immediate

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overwhelmed Sir Jacob Astley's Royalist 2.29 The crime rate in is very low and army. neighbours are willing to provide help 2.26 Buildings in Stow were built with the when needed. mellow Cotswold limestone from local quarries. Some have massive internal Swell oak beams from the days when Gloucestershire was covered in forest. 2.30 Swell Parish (pop 389) was formed in Many of the houses were built in the 1935 by the amalgamation of Upper and 16th century, but those built later have Lower Swell parishes. Both villages are blended in to become part of the located one mile west of Stow-on-the- character of this beautiful town that has Wold. The Heart of England Way long evolved over some 500 years. The distance footpath passes through both. historic core of the town is a Swell is bisected by Ryknild Street, the Conservation Area with an extensive Roman road. The River Dikler, which is concentration of listed buildings. prone to flooding, runs through Upper 2.27 Today Stow-on-the-Wold draws visitors and Lower Swell to join the River from all over the world to see its Windrush. In doing so it passes old stunning architecture, to shop in its farmsteads and some of the loveliest many antique shops, to take afternoon countryside of the Cotswolds. tea in one of the old teashops and 2.31 Both villages have fine houses built from experience the ambience of this lovely Cotswold stone. Lower Swell, the larger old town. The large Market Square of the two, is said to have the "finest testifies to the town's former countryside, a tranquil village green and importance with the ancient market plenty of mellow stone cottages". cross at one end and the town stocks at Abbotswood House, or ‘Swell Park’ is it the other. Around the Square is an was originally known, is located midway elegant array of Cotswold town houses between Lower Swell and Stow. It is a and the many inns, restaurants and tea Grade II classic Cotswold house built of shops provide informal meeting spots honey coloured local stone. It is for residents and visitors. reputed to have been worked upon by 2.28 The number of Stow residents remains Sir Edwin Lutyens, and is said to have fairly static at just over 2,000 for the last been his major work in the Cotswolds. 10 years. In 2011 it was 2,041. Almost The gardens of Abbotswood comprise a 75% of those living in the town have late-19th-century park of around 55 lived there for more than 5 years, while hectares with early-20th-century formal only 3% have lived there for less than a and woodland gardens of 4 hectares. year. 14% of the population comprises The terraced lawn and fountain were children under 15 compared with 18% in created by Lutyens. England, and this proportion is declining. 54% of the Stow population is aged 16-64 compared with 66% in England, and the percentage of the Stow population over 65 is 32%, compared with 16% in England.

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3 Issues facing Stow and Historic and natural Swell Parish environment

Current situation 3.1 The Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group’s first task was to identify the 3.2 In his book ‘Villages Buildings of Britain’9 issues facing Stow, based on the Matthew Rice describes the unique outcomes of the work done to develop character of Cotswold towns and the Community Strategic Plan, the villages. community consultations which began ‘All the buildings in the Cotswolds look in early 2014 and other plans and alike in one way as, from the manor documentation which emerged during house to the smallest cottage, every the plan making period. Unsurprisingly house is an exercise in the same style. the issues raised by the community This style is a legacy from the sixteenth reflected the issues for Cotswold District century - of heavily mullioned windows, identified in the Local Plan namely: drip-mouldings where the protruding • Concern that the unique townscape line of the masonry above the windows and environment of the town, parish drops down through a right angle taking and AONB should be conserved and the water away from the walls, and enhanced by adhering to primary dormer windows poking out of heavy planning legislation, i.e. The stone roofs. Countryside and Rights of Way Act ‘Most extraordinary though is the 2000, (the CRoW Act) and stone. The warm yellow limestone, NPPG/NPPF protective guidelines oolite, is part of the limestone belt that and not spoilt by inappropriate runs from the Dorset to the Yorkshire development. coast and is at its widest in the • The need for affordable housing for Cotswolds. There are huge quantities of local people and the development of limestone only just below the surface too many assisted living/care units. throughout the area. So easily • The need to maintain and develop accessible is it, that every wall and the town’s economy. garden shed has been built from • The need for a new medical centre, Cotswold stone, giving the Cotswolds leisure/community centre including more perfect villages per square mile a youth club, plus an identified need than anywhere else in Britain. Oolite is for additional sports and leisure easily workable when quarried but facilities for young people e.g hardens with exposure to the adventure playground, skate/BMX atmosphere. This has led to a very high Park, etc. standard of decorative masonry, • The need for a town museum. particularly in the splendid town and • The need for more parking, better village churches. access to public transport and a 3.3 However, he issues a warning: reduction in the impact of through traffic especially HGVs. ‘The beauty of the area, coupled with royal patronage and relative closeness

9 Matthew Rice – ‘Village Buildings of Britain’ 1992

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to London, has brought about are built of bland reconstituted stone development, conversion and which does not have the subtle colour renovation. Oblivious to the traditions variations and liveliness of the native of the area this trio blunders on having limestone’. a fatal effect on the area - new houses

Stow conservation area coloured light green Designated 4th Nov 1970 Reviewed 18th July 1989

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Listed buildings and scheduled monument in the Plan area

3.4 Stow Town Centre is famous for its The Local Plan and other strategies elegant terraced houses made from honey-coloured Cotswold limestone. 3.6 In the current Local Plan (2016) The Market Square and Sheep Street Cotswold District Council believes that, date from the 14th to the 17th centuries when considering the issues for the and the centre of the town is a Natural and Historic Environment: Conservation Area - designated by ‘It is imperative that the character, Cotswold District Council in November appearance and diversity of the District 1970, almost half a century ago. The is protected and wherever possible Plan area contains five Grade I, two enhanced, especially within areas of Grade II*, 159 Grade II listed buildings high historic, landscape or nature and one Scheduled Monument. conservation importance. It is also 3.5 This acclaim has been warmly important to ensure that new welcomed and appreciated by the local development is well designed; respects community which is intensely proud of biodiversity and green infrastructure; the town’s architectural heritage and and does not lead to the coalescence of works hard to maintain and enhance it. settlements. The District’s natural and The quality of the town’s environment is historic environments are its greatest a major element in people’s desire to assets. The challenge is to harness live there resulting in the high house these sensitive assets to economic prices that the town commands. It is advantage by managing tourism, also the main attraction for the many agricultural diversification, minerals, tourists who visit the town to the waste and other changes to rural areas benefit of the local economy. in a sustainable and non-intrusive

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manner. Future housing, employment ‘Options should be explored for and other development will need to be improving the physical environment of suitably designed and located to the town centre’ minimise visual and other impacts on 3.9 The objectives for the Natural and the sensitive Cotswold landscape and Historic environment in the Local Plan built heritage’. are:

3.7 ‘The Local Plan's ‘Vision’ supports the ‘Through the use of appropriate following priorities set out in the District planning policies in the development Council's Corporate Strategy: management process: • Protect and enhance the local a. Conserve and enhance the high environment whilst supporting quality, local distinctiveness and economic growth diversity of the natural and historic • Champion issues which are environment. important to local people b. Ensure that new development is of high quality and sustainable design, 3.8 That Stow’s townscape is of national which reflects local character and and international architectural distinctiveness, is appropriately sited, importance is recognised in the Local and provides attractive and inclusive Plan which states that environments. ‘Stow-on-the-Wold is a compact market c. Protect the open countryside against town, known both nationally and sporadic development, while also internationally as a tourist avoiding coalescence of settlements. attraction…with its striking and d. Support the creation of new green unusually prominent hilltop setting, infrastructure to enhance Stow sits high on the Wold, wholly environmental quality and provide within the Cotswolds Area of health benefits’. Outstanding Natural Beauty. The town, along with neighbouring Maugersbury, The rural area of the plan has many listed buildings. 3.10 The Cotswolds Area of Outstanding ‘Tourism is crucial to the long term Natural Beauty (AONB) and Natural economic prosperity of Stow, and the England’s ‘Natural Character Area high quality of the town’s environment Profile 107’ – The Cotswolds’, cover the has been a key factor in the town’s entire Plan area. The use of land in the economic success. Tourism and local Plan area is predominantly for food tourist accommodation has a positive production and should remain so. impact on the vibrancy of the town However, the Plan acknowledges that centre. Enhancing the town centre changes in food production and further (e.g. by reinstating the Market therefore the appearance of the Square as the focal point of the town) is cropped landscape will be influenced by an important economic priority. world and national food markets.

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Cotswold Area of outstanding Natural Beauty

3.11 Apart from its ‘AONB’ and ‘Character ‘To conserve and enhance the natural Area’ status, the Plan area also contains beauty of the Cotswolds AONB, to substantial clusters of listed buildings, a increase understanding and enjoyment conservation area, a scheduled of its special qualities, and to foster the monument, a substantial Edwardian social and economic well-being of local garden, deciduous wood-land, areas of communities’. Established in 2004, the Community Right of Way access and board is a statutory body and is the only areas along the course of the river which organisation looking after the are prone to flooding. The AONB is Cotswolds AONB as a whole. It has 37 subject to the controls of the Cotswolds members drawn from local authorities, AONB Management Plan 2013-18, and parish councils and communities across Natural England’s Character Area the Cotswolds, a staff team of 15 based Profile. in Northleach, Gloucestershire and 300+ 3.12 The Cotswolds Conservation Board is an voluntary wardens throughout the independent statutory body that works AONB.

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The Plan area constraints Plan, concern was also expressed that 3.13 The AONB Board seeks to implement development pressures in the rural part the ‘Cotswolds AONB Management Plan of the plan area might lead to 2013-18’, which sets out its aims and inappropriate development which objectives over a five-year period. The would have an adverse effect on the two key purposes of the Board are: environment of this area. • To conserve and enhance the natural Environmental Impact Screening beauty of the Cotswolds AONB 3.15 There are no instances of the following • To increase understanding and in the Plan area - Biosphere Reserves, enjoyment of the special qualities of Local Nature Reserves, RAMSAR sites the AONB, ensuring that these (Wetlands), Special Areas of complement the conservation and Conservation, SSSIs, Econet woodlands/ enhancement of the area. grasslands, Natural Areas and In fulfilling these roles, the board seeks Environmentally Sensitive Areas. to foster the social and economic well- being of local communities within the Local Plan design policies for the AONB. Historic and Natural Environment 3.14 The rural area of the Neighbourhood 3.16 The Local Plan states that Government Plan is therefore well covered by ‘attaches great importance to the design policies and organisations with of the built and natural environment responsibility for securing its future. and expects local authorities to plan Nevertheless, just as national positively for the achievement of high government policy appears to have quality and inclusive design for all been a major factor in determining development, including individual some policies and proposals in the Local buildings, public and private spaces and

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wider area development schemes. designed in a high quality contemporary Good design is a key aspect of and innovative manner, which reflects sustainable development and and respects local character. The addressing climate change, is indivisible decision whether to adopt a traditional from good planning and should or contemporary approach will depend contribute positively to making places on the type of development proposed, better for people’. the site and its setting.

3.17 The design quality achieved in Stow and Community response other towns in the past was generally very high and local standards of traditional 3.22 The Community’s concerns are: craftsmanship have been exceptional • A concern to ensure that the unique for hundreds of years. townscape and environment of the 3.18 The Local Plan includes a policy for Town and Parish is conserved and design which states that: enhanced and not spoilt by inappropriate development. ‘Development will be permitted which • In order to protect and enhance the accords with the Cotswold Design Code. historic and natural environment, Proposals should be of design quality developments need to be that respects the character and sympathetic to the environment and distinctive appearance of the locality.’ the community. 3.19 This policy will be applied to all aspects • Concern that any developments in of design – including architectural, the AONB do not adversely affect landscape, ecological, urban and wildlife habitats. sustainable design - within • Because of Stow’s unique developments of every scale, from environment there is a need for a conversions and small extensions to Community Design Statement major residential sites and large specifically for the Plan area. employment facilities. 3.23 The community’s response to the 3.20 However, the Local Plan also points out historic and natural environment issues that it is important to ensure that the identified by the Plan team’s researches local context is also fully considered, and through community consultation particularly areas such as Stow town and the Local Plan proposals is that: centre renowned for the quality of its • Central government directives could built and natural environment and in override the townscape and areas which have very sensitive environmental aims in the Local Plan locations such as the Cotswolds Area of and the wishes of the local Outstanding Natural Beauty and the community, leading to the numerous Conservation Areas. development particularly of areas of 3.21 To achieve this, the Local Plan contains new housing, which would have a a revised Cotswold Design Code which negative effect on the Plan area, its emphasises the requirement to design environment and townscape. developments so that they either follow • Although developments in the Plan an authentic vernacular and traditional area had been subject to the approach, in line with the local provisions of the conservation area, architectural character, or that they are the AONB requirements and the

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Cotswold Design Guide for some development in Stow was probably time, experience suggests that the an inevitable part of the town’s fact that these policies and future, if housing developments guidelines exist, may not guarantee were limited to a maximum of ten that they will be rigorously dwellings at any one time, it would implemented or that Cotswold give the town enough time to absorb District Council, responsible for the the impact of new buildings and the implementation of the guidelines, increasing numbers of people living would have the special skills required within its boundaries. to implement them. • There was a desire that appropriate • Despite a revised Cotswold Design controls would be put in place to Guide being part of the Local Plan, secure the future of the existing the uniqueness of Stow’s townscape green spaces in the town. This issue warranted a more detailed set of is taken up in the section on ‘Green design requirements specifically Infrastructure’. relating to Stow, to ensure that all • Concern was also expressed that developments given planning provisions for off-street car parking consent would be of a quality of for new developments contained in design and materials commensurate the Emerging Local Plan were not with what exists in the town and sufficiently stringent. Tighter would be sensitive to the cultural controls are included in Stow and The context in which they would be being Swells Community Design built, including the use of local Statement. materials and vernacular building styles. 3.24 These views represent a genuine • Stow’s unique townscape is an concern by the Stow community, that important element in the town’s while the community accepts the prosperity which is a key factor in principle that Stow will continue to attracting tourists to the town. grow, if appropriate controls are not put Proposals which would have a in place and rigorously implemented, a negative impact on the quality of precious, unique, historical and Stow’s townscape would affect its architectural asset could be damaged by attraction to tourists, damaging the inappropriate development. local economy. • Land values in Stow, which are particularly high due to the popularity of the town as a place to live, could lead to developers trying to put as much development as possible on a particular site to compensate for the high land values. • Stow has evolved into its present form in a slow, ‘organic’ way, and this form of development should be allowed to continue. While residents reluctantly accepted that

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consequences for the future of the Housing issues district. However, it should be noted that the Stow-on-the-Wold Community Land Trust has been set up to help The current situation address this problem. 3.25 As elsewhere in the Cotswolds, the 3.28 The Stow Business Survey11 found attractiveness of the Stow area has that, of the businesses in Stow which brought housing pressures which are recruit staff, 63% employ staff from driven in part by commuting to and within an 8km radius of Stow, 41% from the West Midlands. The area has recruit within an 8-16km radius and high property values, yet the median 41% from further afield. 30% income of all employees in the Cotswold currently recruit only within an 8km 10 District is about £19,000 . Failure to radius of Stow and a third do not provide an appropriate mix of housing, recruit from within an 8km radius. particularly affordable housing, has led 39% of the 64 businesses interviewed to more economically-active people, blamed recruiting difficulties on high particularly the young, being forced to house prices, lack of public transport, look elsewhere for somewhere to live. high commuting costs and lack of 3.26 The availability of affordable housing parking. would enable local young people and 12 others to take up local employment Stow Housing Needs Survey opportunities and help provide 3.29 In order to ascertain the need for sufficient accommodation for an affordable housing in Stow, the Town economically active population to Council first commissioned support existing services and facilities. Gloucestershire Rural Community The most acute issue is the high cost of Council in 2010 to undertake a Housing property. First time buyers on average Needs Survey of the town. This was incomes are priced out of the housing refined and updated over the years, market in Cotswold District and in Stow culminating in a detailed Housing Needs in particular. Home ownership rates Survey in December 2015. among the 25 to 34 age group are Questionnaires were sent to 1,156 amongst the lowest in the county. The households and 302 (31%) replies were cost of housing in Stow outstrips the returned to GRCC. Analysis of the data average wage in the area. revealed that: 3.27 The lack of affordable housing is a • 82% of respondents owned their own challenge for local businesses and public home, 10% rented from the local sector employers (e.g. health and authority or a Housing Association, education). Unless the issue of 7% were in private rented housing affordability is addressed, more people and less than 1% lived in low cost on middle and lower incomes, home ownership. particularly the young, will be forced to • 28 respondents said a member of leave the district in increasing numbers their family had moved away in the with serious economic and social last 5 years because they could not

10 Office of National Statistics – Annual Survey of Hours and 12 Stow Housing Needs Survey December 2015 – Earnings, 2014, www.nomisweb.co.uk Gloucestershire Rural Community Council 11 Stow Business Survey 2003 – “Stow 2020”

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afford the accommodation available Average House Prices in Stow-on-the-Wold Parish locally. 12 months to September 2015 (£) • There are currently 27 households House Type Price Number of Sales within the parish who have self- Detached £417,182 11 identified themselves as being in Semi-detached £301,111 9 need of affordable housing, 19 of which require affordable rented Terraced £329,333 12 accommodation, while 8 could afford Flats £343,000 5 intermediate housing e.g. shared All £350,432 37 ownership. The foregoing figures relate to replies from only 31% of the 3.31 The SHLAA 2014, including addenda up total households. The accurate to December 2015, states that 91 requirement for truly affordable dwellings have been built or granted housing could therefore be much permission in Stow since 2011. higher than 27. Subsequent to this report further • 62% of respondents were in favour of permissions have been granted for 20 a small development of affordable dwellings to be built on the site of homes for local people, 7% were Ashton House, 7 in White Hart Lane plus against, 24% said ‘maybe’, and 5 single dwellings at various locations in remainder gave no reply. the town. In addition, permission has been granted for a total of 179 places in 3.30 The housing stock in the Plan area two elderly care complexes in the town comprises 1,390 dwellings. House (48 dementia care, 37 close care and 94 prices in Stow-on-the-Wold are more assisted living or extra care). The two than 18 times local median annual care villages are both on the A429 Fosse incomes. The median gross income for Way at sensitive entrance points to the residents in Cotswold District was town, one on land to the north of Tesco £18,642 in 2014 according to (The Orders of St John Care Government Office for National Trust/McCarthy & Stone site) and one Statistics, whilst the average price of the on land adjacent to Bretton House to 37 properties sold in Stow-on-the-Wold the south of the town (English Care for the 12 months ending September Villages). 2015 was £350,432.

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Households requiring affordable rented housing

House type Single people Couples Families Total

1 bedroom ground floor 1 aged 77 2 no details - 3 (flat or bungalow)

1 bedroom house, flat, 8 aged 17, 4 aged 24,78&61, - 12 bungalow 17, 46, 61, 60&50 2 bedroom bungalow 42 - - 1 family with son 1

3 (no details given; no 2 bedroom house - - details given; family with 3 son aged 9 yrs;)

Total 19

Households requiring intermediate housing House Type Single persons Couples Families No 1 bedroom house or flat 1 aged 21 - - 1 2 bedroom sheltered 1 aged 88 - - 1 accommodation 2 bedroom house 4 no details; aged 24; 24, 72 - 2 families no details 6 Total 8

3.32 There are 41 families who are seeking rehousing on the open market: Households seeking rehousing on open market House Type Single people Couples Other No 1 bdrm sheltered - 1 no details - 1 2 bdrm sheltered 1 aged 72 1 family no details 3 aged 63 & 61; ages not 2 bdrm bungalow - - 3 given; both 84 1bdrm house 4 – no details 29 ;19 - - 4 4 - 33; 44, age not given; 2 bdrm house 8 - no details; 70,33,35 & 43 1 no details 13 66 1 children 4 (aged 50 & 48, 53 & 52, 63 & 3 bdrm house 2 no details - 2 & 12 62, no details) months 3 bdrm bungalow 1 aged 69 - - -

2 (family son 2; 4+ bdrm house - 1 no details - family son 1) Total 41

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Care Housing Home working 3.33 An imbalance in the residents’ age 3.35 The economic situation on Stow is such demography for Stow already exists13 - that home working is a key element in 30% of the population is over providing employment in the town and retirement age - and this percentage is in the rural area. In the Housing Needs increasing even before either of the two Survey, 50 respondents replied that care villages is built and populated. they worked from home - 18 for an Resident Population14 employer and 32 had their own business. 21 respondents said that if Population over 65 the right facilities were available they • Stow – 616 (30%) would work from home. • Swells – 111 (28.5%) • Cotswolds – 18,489 (22%) • South West – 1,035,444 (19.5%) Hours per week worked from home Less than 10 hours per week 16 3.34 When these care village developments 10 to 24 hours per week 15 for older people come to fruition the 25 to 40 hours per week 7 additional imbalance will place More than 40 hours per week 7 exceptional pressure on local hospitals, No reply 12 doctor’s surgeries and community care Total 57 facilities. There may be an unlimited and expanding market for care facilities but six similar organisations already Types of business run from home exist in Stow, providing a range of Crafts/Arts 4 services from nursing homes to IT/ Knowledge based 4 sheltered housing. Whilst it can be Consultancy 13 argued that there is need for a specialist Design 1 dementia care home now that Ashton Agriculture / gardening 1 House has been closed, the number of Other* 10 nursing homes/care villages for older No reply 1 people in the town needs to be Total 34 controlled and no such developments Other* includes: marketing services, accountancy, property maintenance, electrician, book seller, book other than truly affordable care housing keeping, counsellor, admin, antique retailer for local older people should be granted permission before 2031.

Types of working space required for home working Need & already Need but do Type of workspace Don’t need No reply have not have

Desk only 20 7 7 56 Room shared with living space 15 3 8 64 Dedicated room for working use only 24 20 4 42

13 ONS Census 2011 14 Op Cit

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External storage space e.g. shed or garage 14 10 54

Communication facilities required Need & already Need but do Type of communication facility Don’t need No reply have not have Telephone landline 47 4 4 35 Mobile reception 45 7 3 35 Broadband 52 4 3 31

Existing housing permissions sites to deliver housing in the first five years, the District Council drew on 3.36 Four main sites in Stow already have information from the Strategic Housing planning permission for housing Land Availability Assessment and other development: relevant evidence. • Brackley and McCarthy and Stone 3.40 The Local Plan also proposes that: (land north of Tesco) – 44 extra care • dwellings and 48 place dementia care All housing developments will be home expected to provide a suitable mix • Bretton House (land adjacent to) – and range of housing in terms of 106 assisted living units and/or care size, type and tenure to reflect local units housing need and demand in both • Ashton House - 20 dwellings for sale the market and affordable housing • White Hart Lane – 7 dwellings for sale sectors, particularly the requirements of an ageing A further six sites have planning permission for one house each. population and smaller more affordable open market homes to 3.37 If developed as proposed these sites reflect local earnings. would deliver a total of 231 new • Developers will be expected to dwellings, and while almost 85% of provide a range of types and sizes of these houses are targeted at the elderly market homes and demonstrate and/or infirm, none of the sites will how the proposed mix of market provide affordable houses. housing provision will meet local demand with regard to household size and income, thereby reducing The Local Plan the need for affordable housing in the District. 3.38 The housing objective in the Local Plan • Any affordable accommodation is that the Local Plan would: with 2 or more bedrooms will be ‘Provide an adequate supply of quality expected to be houses or bungalows housing, of appropriate types and unless there is a need for flats or tenures, to at least meet objectively specialist accommodation. assessed needs’. • On sites of more than 20 dwellings developers will be required to 3.39 To achieve this the Local Plan sets a provide at least 5% of dwellings for target for Stow of ten new houses sale as serviced self or custom build during the Local Plan period. The Local plots, having regard to the need Plan states that to identify sufficient identified on the Local Planning

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Authority’s Self Build and Custom • The type, size and mix, including the Build Register. tenure split, of affordable housing will be expected to address the 3.41 For affordable housing, which the Plan identified and prioritised housing defines as ‘Social rented and needs of the District. This should be intermediate housing, provided to proportionate in scale and mix, specified eligible households whose resulting in a balanced community of needs are not met by the market’, the housing that is designed to be tenure Local Plan states that: blind and distributed in clusters. It • ‘All housing developments that will be expected that affordable provide six or more new dwellings housing will be provided on site as or comprise an area of 0.3 hectares completed dwellings by the or larger, will be expected to developer, unless an alternative contribute towards affordable contribution is agreed, such as housing provision to meet the serviced plots. Developers will be identified need in the District and expected to agree the affordable address the Council’s strategic housing provision and design at objectives on affordable housing. planning application stage. • Schemes providing 5 new dwellings • Where viability is questioned or a or less, or on sites smaller than 0.3 commuted sum is considered, an hectares, will make a financial “open book” assessment will be contribution by way of a commuted required. The local planning sum towards the District’s authority will arrange for an external affordable housing need subject to assessment which will be paid for by viability. the developer.’ • The affordable housing requirement 15 on all sites requiring a contribution, 3.42 The Local Plan proposes only one site subject to viability is: for housing development: - Up to 30% of new dwellings • The former Stow Agricultural gross on brownfield sites; and Services building which should - Up to 40% of new dwellings deliver 10 dwellings. gross on all other sites. 3.43 When taken together with existing • In exceptional circumstances, permissions, this would mean that a consideration may be given to total of 241 housing units would be accepting a financial contribution delivered in Stow during the life of the from the developer where it is Local Plan, the vast majority of which justified that affordable housing would be for the elderly. cannot be delivered on-site, or that the District’s need for affordable housing can be better satisfied Community’s response through this route. A financial contribution will also be required for 3.44 The community’s concerns for housing each partial number of affordable were: units calculated to be provided on • Need for truly affordable housing site. specifically for local people as per the

15 Local Plan Policy S13

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Housing Needs Survey which might Plan – namely ‘Up to 40% of new be developed by a community land dwellings gross on all other sites’ trust or successor organisation and should be affordable housing – a should be traditional housing development of 68 houses would be developments, built to the highest required to satisfy the demand for 27 design standards and limited to affordable housing units, which phases of no more than 10 dwellings. could require a substantial incursion • The development of too many into the AONB; this would be assisted living/care units for older unacceptable. people. • Due to restrictions on local • Preference should be given to government finance and the finance developing on brownfield sites available to housing associations, rather than in the AONB. affordable housing has to be created as part of private sector housing 3.45 As with the Local Plan policies for the development projects and, although historic and natural environment, Cotswold District Council will only considerable efforts were made by the approve housing developers’ plans if Neighbourhood Plan team in they include a proportion of consultation with the community and affordable homes, the danger of the town council, to ensure that the making the provision of affordable Neighbourhood Plan took the proposals housing part of such developments and policies for housing in the latest ‘subject to viability’, is that, given the iteration of the Local Plan into account. high land values in Stow, it will be 3.46 While agreeing with the District relatively easy for developers to Council’s aspirations in the Local Plan ‘prove’ that providing affordable that ‘New land allocations need to be housing which meets the design sensitive the environmental constraints criteria set out in the Cotswold and the need to ensure that the town's Design Guide on a particular site in historic character is maintained and that Stow is ‘unviable’, thus avoiding the ‘the provision of affordable housing will need to provide affordable housing enable young people to take up local or reducing the quality of the housing employment opportunities, help to below what should be provided in provide sufficient accommodation for a special situation such as Stow. an economically active population to • Since the purpose of developing support the local economy and sustain affordable housing is to make existing services and facilities’, the available suitable rented and community’s response was that: affordable accommodation to local people, letting policies must reflect • There is a critical need for 27 or more this. Experience suggests that there affordable housing units in the town. is no guarantee that this will happen. If the affordable housing were to be The community’s concern was that built as part of a private sector rental properties would be allocated housing development rather than by centrally, in Gloucester, on the basis a housing association, community of need, which would mean that land trust or successor organisation, available properties could be based on the affordable housing allocated to people from Gloucester percentages stipulated in the Local or Cheltenham. The attraction of

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being able to live in an attractive town in the Cotswolds would The economy encourage those living outside Stow with no connection with the town to seek to rent in the town. If houses Cotswold economy – the current 16 were let to tenants from outside situation Stow this would mean that an area of 3.47 Cotswold District’s economy is healthy the AONB had been lost to no benefit with fairly affluent communities and to the town. low unemployment rates. It has the • A much better solution to satisfying the highest rate of employed residents in need for affordable housing for local senior professional and technical roles people would be for developments of 10 in Gloucestershire and 21% of the or more properties and as part of any resident employed population is self- section 106 agreement made with the employed, the seventh highest level of developer, the Local Authority would home working in England. require that a part of the development site be donated to a Community Land 3.48 The 2012 Employment Study17 shows Trust or other appropriate organisation that the Cotswolds economy is likely to to enable that Trust to build and manage grow in several sectors, such as business one affordable house for every 10 services, education, health and social properties on the site. care, hotels and restaurants. Growth • If the sites were to be developed on potential also exists within other publicly owned land by a community services and the distribution sector. The land trust or successor organisation, Study identified that approximately it would be possible to achieve their 7,555 jobs will require new employment development in such a way as to accommodation over the Local Plan provide a high architectural quality period. The high cost of living in the and secure the required amount of Cotswolds means that many businesses affordable housing. face skills and labour shortages. • Housing developments should be limited to a maximum of ten 3.49 The service sector accounts for the dwellings at any one time. Adopting largest proportion of local jobs in the this form of ‘organic’ development District. There is also small scale would give the town enough time to business development within the rural absorb the impact of new buildings areas. Declining sectors are likely to and the increasing numbers of include manufacturing and agriculture people living within its boundaries. although, compared with other areas of • Concern that there is no policy to the country, agriculture is still control the spread of care housing important. for older people. 3.50 Tourism is a major and growing part of the local economy with the ‘Cotswolds’ an internationally recognised brand. Tourism generated an estimated total spend of £83m in 2010, and in 2013, there were 6,000 jobs in tourism-

16 Cotswold District Local Plan 2016 17 Part 2 of the Cotswold Economy Study PBA 2012/ Hewdon and POS Reports 2014

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related sectors in the Cotswolds. The However, the district is not self- main categories of visitor expenditure contained. Larger cities and towns, are accommodation, shopping, food especially Cheltenham, Gloucester and and drink, attractions, entertainment Swindon, draw expenditure out of the and travel. Cultural activity also has district and function as service and high economic value by attracting employment hubs for many Cotswold tourists, as does the agricultural residents. landscape, sheep farming and famous 3.53 The Local Economic Partnership beauty of its extensive, undulating ‘GFirst’s’ 2014 ‘Strategic Economic geography. Plan’18 sets out plans to accelerate 3.51 Due to the district's environmental and economic growth in Gloucestershire by heritage constraints, it can be difficult to focusing on key drivers of productivity find suitable sites for new employment and supporting growth in high value land and there are few vacant sectors focusing on the major centres employment sites and premises such as Cirencester and Cheltenham. available. Nevertheless, with a highly skilled population and key business Stow assets, the Cotswolds offer a unique 3.54 Stow’s economy is focussed on retail business location with a high quality of and tourism. It has no industrial estates life in an outstanding natural and or business parks and although it has historic environment. substantial employment in managerial, 3.52 Cotswold market towns and villages and professional categories this may be provide the day-to-day shopping and due to people in those categories services for residents of the district. working outside the town in Cheltenham, Cirencester and Stratford, Cotswold Business Park, Fosseway Industrial Estate, the Fire Services College at Moreton in Marsh, Bourton Industrial Estate, or Upper Rissington Business Park, all of which are within easy commuting distance. This is borne out by the distances that local residents commute to work outside the area.

Distance travelled to work Distance Travelled to Work Stow Swell Residents 16 -74 in employment No % No % All People 964 195 Works mainly at or from home 152 16 38 19 Less than 2km 269 28 48 25 2km to less than 5km 54 6 15 8 5km to less than 10km 113 12 20 10 10km to less than 20km 56 6 8 4

18 GFirst Strategic Economic Plan 2014

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20km to less than 30km 92 10 26 13 30km to less than 40km 55 6 5 3 40km to less than 60km 44 5 8 4 60km and over 43 4 18 9 No fixed place of work 86 9 9 5 Source: 2011 Census, Office for National Statistics

Method of Travel to Work Method of Travel to Work 2011 Stow Swell Residents 16 -74 in employment 984 % 215 % Driving a Car or Van 570 58 108 50 On Foot 200 20 32 15 Work Mainly at or From Home 111 11 48 22 Passenger in a Car or Van 47 5 9 4 Bus, Minibus or Coach 18 2 2 1 Train 16 2 10 5 Other Method of Travel to Work 9 1 4 2 Underground, Metro, Light Rail, Tram 3 0 0 0 Motorcycle, Scooter or Moped 6 1 1 0 Bicycle 3 0 1 0 Taxi 1 0 0 0 Source: 2011 Census, Office for National Statistics

3.55 Stow’s built up area lies within a circle Stow households do not have a car. with a diameter of 2km, which means 3.57 However, any modal significant change that no part of Stow is more than 1km away from the car is unlikely given the from the town centre, where most of fact that Stow is on the top of a hill, the jobs are. Outside this circle is open unlike Bourton on the Water or countryside with small villages. The lack Moreton in Marsh, and the approach of public transport means that anyone roads are either narrow or very heavily commuting to Stow from outside the trafficked making them not conducive town has to do so mainly by car, which to safe, regular, bicycle usage. Hence puts considerable pressure on parking the table above shows only 3 such provision in the town. movements out of 984. Indeed, in a 3.56 Travel-to-work patterns of both the traffic survey carried out in support of a resident and daytime working planning application it was found that populations confirm this being broadly only 3 out of 10,000 movements on the similar, showing an overwhelming Fosseway were by cycle on a working dependence on personal transport. This day. is hardly surprising given the limited Employment availability of public transport. 87% of households had access to 1, 2 or 3 3.58 Employment statistics19 for the Plan motor vehicles. According to the 2009 area present a robust picture of the Housing Needs Survey carried out by economy. Unemployment is 4.75% of Cotswold District Council only 10% of the economically active population. Almost 30% of the economically active

19 2011 Census Office for National Statistics

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population is self-employed – 28% in Stow and almost 40% in Swell. 22% are in part time employment.

Economically active employment Stow Swell Parish Description No % Description No % All Usual Residents Age 16-74 1414 All Usual Residents Aged 16-74 311 Total Economically Active 1042 Total Economically Active 220 Employee; Part-Time 210 20 Employee; Part-Time 36 16 Employee; Full-Time 471 45 Employee; Full-Time 91 41 Self-Employed 279 27 Self-Employed with Employees; Part-Time 3 1 Self-Employed with Employees; Full-Time 18 8 Self-Employed Without Employees; Part-Time 31 14 Self-Employed Without Employees; Full-Time 33 15 Full-Time Student 27 3 Full-Time Student 3 1 Unemployed 30 3 Unemployed 5 2 Unemployed; Age 16 to 24 4 0 Unemployed; Age 50 to 74 9 1 Unemployed; Never Worked 2 0 Long-Term Unemployed 10 1 Totals 1042 100 220 100

3.59 Four industries: wholesale and retail manufacturing employ 50% of the trade and repair of motor vehicles and workforce. Only 2% of the workforce is motor cycles, accommodation and food employed in agriculture. service activities, construction and

Employment by industry Area Stow Swell Parish Plan Area All Usual Residents Aged 16 to 74 in Employment 984 % 215 % 1199 % Wholesale/Retail Trade; Repair of Motor Vehicles & Motor Cycles 189 19.2 30 14 219 18 Accommodation and Food Service Activities 136 13.8 15 7 151 13 Construction 104 10.6 14 6.5 118 10 Manufacturing 97 9.9 14 6.5 111 9 Human Health and Social Work Activities 88 8.9 11 5.1 99 8 Education 62 6.3 17 7.9 79 7 R, S, T, U Other 62 6.3 28 13 90 8 Professional, Scientific and Technical Activities 58 5.9 29 13.5 87 7 Administrative and Support Service Activities 42 4.3 5 2.3 47 4 Transport and Storage 37 3.8 6 2.8 43 4 Information and Communication 30 3 7 3.3 37 3 Real Estate Activities 20 2 8 3.7 28 2 Financial and Insurance Activities 21 2.1 5 2.3 26 2 Public Administration and Defence; Compulsory Social Security 17 1.7 5 2.3 22 2 Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing 9 0.9 19 8.8 28 2 Mining and Quarrying 7 0.7 0 0 7 1 Electricity, Gas, Steam and Air Conditioning Supply 4 0.4 0 0 4 0 Water Supply; Sewerage, Waste Management and Remediation 1 0.1 2 0.9 3 0 Totals 984 100 215 100 1199 100

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3.60 70% of the workforce works in in elementary occupations, 7% in sales managerial, professional, skilled or and 4% in process, plant and machinery. administrative occupations, 10% work

Occupations Stow Swell Parish Plan Area All Usual Residents Aged 16 to 74 in Employment 984 % 215 % 1199 % Skilled Trades Occupations 164 16.7 36 16.7 200 17 Managers, Directors and Senior Officials 157 16 59 27.4 216 18 Elementary Occupations 116 11.8 9 4.2 125 10 Professional Occupations 115 11.7 39 18.1 154 13 Associate Professional and Technical Occupations 105 10.7 28 13 133 11 Administrative and Secretarial Occupations 104 10.6 16 7.4 120 10 Caring, Leisure and Other Service Occupations 98 10 20 9.3 118 10 Sales and Customer Service Occupations 80 8.1 3 1.4 83 7 Process, Plant and Machine Operatives 45 4.6 5 2.3 50 4

3.61 The high percentage of skilled workers on the support of local residents whose and the self-employed means that the continuing custom is essential if they economy of the Plan area is well placed are to maintain their presence in the to take advantages of growth town. particularly in the service sector. 3.64 There are approximately 200 businesses Home working in Stow. • More than half fall into one of the 3.62 71 respondents to the 2015 Housing following categories: antiques Needs Survey worked from home – 27 shop/dealer, gift shop, hotel, for an employer and 49 have their own restaurant, tea room/café, gallery business. Because many of these types and clothing of businesses are not registered for VAT • 54% have been established in Stow and for personal reasons may be for at least 10 years and 13% for a unwilling to disclose what they do, it can year or less be difficult to find out just how many • Around half own their business operate in the town. Nevertheless, they premises and around half rent represent an important opportunity for • Around half the premises contain growing employment in the town. living accommodation which is most commonly occupied by the business Tourism and retail owner or staff of the business 3.63 The Stow economy relies for its income • The average number of employees in mainly on tourism and retail, mainly in each business (excluding Tesco 150 small businesses. The employment rate staff) is 5.5, with around half of these is higher than the national average. working full-time and half part-time Shops and other businesses rely heavily • 18% of the businesses do not employ

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any staff with the national average, the majority • 22% of businesses said they have of companies being small independent difficulty recruiting staff for other businesses such as bakeries, a butcher, reasons, mainly high house prices delicatessens, specialist wine merchant and lack of transport and a newsagent. The town centre also • 53% are concerned about the benefits from a Co-op village store. balance of businesses in Stow. The Outside the town centre there is a Tesco most common comments were that supermarket which opens until there were too many ‘Scotts of Stow’ midnight during the week, provides an shops and not enough internet shopping home delivery service practical/everyday shops such as an and has a range of in-store services, ironmonger and greengrocer. including a delicatessen and fishmonger.

3.65 Visitors make an important contribution 3.67 The town centre benefits from a range to Stow's economy, coming to the town of other services such as a public library, to enjoy its unique heritage and hair salons, banks and estate agents and townscape, including the many historic the proportion of comparison units buildings in the Market Square and within the town is significantly above Sheep Street. While there were the national average, largely because of concerns about the number of antique the number of antique dealers and shops and tourist shops in the town, tourist focussed gift shops. Users of the there was acknowledgement of the town centre like its convenient location, contribution that tourism makes to the its free parking, the choice of shops, and town’s economy, and a desire to ensure its attractive environment. that these benefits are retained in the 3.68 The number of national retailers in Stow town. It was also acknowledged that is limited when compared to larger the high quality of Stow’s environment towns in the district. However, the has been a crucial factor in the town’s individual nature of the shopping economic success. In order to sustain experience in Stow adds to its character, and grow Stow’s economy, it was and contributes to the attraction of the suggested that the environment of the centre as a tourist destination. town centre, particularly the Square and its approaches, could be enhanced. An Tourism overall traffic and parking policy should 3.69 Stow has one of the largest town be developed to improve car and coach centres in the Cotswolds after parking and also traffic circulation. Cirencester. It is a well-known tourist When asked, what would help their destination, with a concentration of business to develop, a common answer antique shops, galleries, cafés, tea was better parking. However, concern shops, pubs, restaurants, hotels and a was expressed about the balance range of bed-and-breakfast and self- between tourist shops and shops catering establishments. It is an providing local services. With the Tesco established ‘base’ for visitors to the store on the northern edge of town north Cotswolds and there is little doubt Stow is well served for local shopping. that the tourist trade helps to maintain a good level of shops and services for Retail local people. 3.66 Convenience retail provision is in line

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Business accommodation uses and which has the capacity to provide a range of unit sizes and 3.70 While there is a significant amount of premises, including for start-ups and employment in the many small small and medium sized enterprises businesses in the town, especially (SMEs); related to tourism, there is no specific • Wherever possible encouraging the location for new industries or growth and/or expansion of existing businesses. There is a severe shortage businesses in the District; of small scale B1 business safeguarding employment sites for accommodation in Stow. A recent employment use and maximising the internet trawl, even at a time when a potential of existing sites balanced number of properties is on the market, against the environmental and revealed that there was no B1 space heritage constraints of the District; available in the town, the only available and properties being retail units which • Implementing planning policies that command a much higher rental than positively guide development business use. There are also restraints proposals for all types of em- on the availability of land for the ployment-generating development, development of a business park, and e.g. retail, tourism, etc. housing land values will price out business uses. The development of ten 3.73 To maintain and enhance the role of houses at the former Stow Agricultural existing employment sites and to Services building will only make a small prevent changes to other uses. addition to the housing stock in the Development proposals must be in town and a very small contribution to accordance with policies in the Local the amount of affordable housing. It Plan: would be of greater benefit to Stow for • Within Development Boundaries - the Stow Agricultural Services building proposals for employment– to be reserved for business use. generating uses on sites that are not currently in employment use will be permitted in principle Local Plan proposals • Outside Development Boundaries, Business accommodation and outside established employment sites - proposals for small-scale 3.71 The Local Plan ‘seeks to safeguard employment development existing employment sites where they appropriate to the rural area will be are attractive to the market, and secure permitted where they are justified by high quality employment sites where a business case demonstrating that there is an identified need for further the business is viable; do not entail development opportunities. The residential use as a principal element Strategy also supports small scale of the business; and facilitate the employment development appropriate retention or growth of a local to the rural area’ employment opportunity 3.72 The Local Plan will deliver this by: • Where an ancillary residential use is acceptable, the proposal may be • Allocating land to meet the classed as a ‘live/work’ unit but the employment requirement for B-class residential floor space of the

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live/work unit can only be occupied 3.77 Main town centre uses will be permitted by the person solely, mainly or last in the following centres which form the employed in the business occupying retail hierarchy for Cotswold District. that unit. • Primary Town Centre - Cirencester • 3.74 The Local Plan also allows for ‘a suitable Key Centres - Bourton-on-the-Water, level of growth at key settlements such Moreton-in-Marsh, Stow-on-the- as Stow to strengthen their Wold and Tetbury • employment function. The provision of District Centres - Fairford and high quality workspace in rural locations Lechlade • will also continue to make an important Local Centres - Northleach and South contribution to the economy’. Cerney 3.75 A substantial proportion of jobs growth 3.78 'Main town uses’ include - retail will occur in other sectors, including development, leisure, entertainment construction, retail, hotels, restaurants, facilities, intensive sport and recreation transport, education and health. uses, offices and arts, culture and Provision for job growth in non B Class tourism development. Retail use sectors the economy is acceptable development will take place in e.g.: accordance with the Retail Hierarchy. • All types of employment generating The five Key Centres, including Stow, uses which involve Agricultural have the widest variety of shops, Diversification facilities and services. The vitality and • Town centre uses, including retail viability of the Key Centres will be promoted and enhanced as locations in • Tourism facilities, attractions and accommodation. the district for main ‘town centre’ uses. • Within Development Boundaries 3.79 The Local Plan states that: • Proposals for employment- ‘On upper floors, there will be support generating uses on sites that are not for a diverse range of uses such as currently in employment use will be residential and office space. The use of permitted in principle where they upper floors adds vitality to town facilitate the retention or growth of a centres without fragmenting the retail local employment opportunity. and services available on the ground Town Centre Retail floor. The Local Planning Authority will seek to ensure that local residents have 3.76 Cotswold market towns and villages access to a range and choice of A1 provide the day-to-day shopping and shops. services for residents of the district. The ‘The loss of an active retail use cannot Local Plan aims to: be prevented and changes of use to • strengthen the vitality and viability of other uses can make the centre less key centres set out in a retail attractive and convenient. The Local hierarchy Planning Authority considers that a • maintain key local service provision robust marketing exercise is the most • reduce car journeys transparent way of demonstrating that • retain market share and prevent retail facilities are no longer viable. To further expenditure leaving the demonstrate that the marketing activity district. is proportionate and effective it should

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be undertaken continually for at least a identified in the latest evidence. twelve month period. All details of marketing activity and enquiries should 3.82 The importance of parking as a key issue be provided to the LPA together with in town centres is dealt with under full reasons why any offers have not ‘Infrastructure’. progressed. ‘It is important to define the boundaries Tourism of the Centres identified in the Retail 3.83 Tourism is a major and growing part of Hierarchy as the primary location of the local economy with the ‘Cotswolds’ retail development, maintaining a as an internationally recognised brand. concentration of Class A1 uses which The Local Plan supports the appropriate are important to the attractiveness of development of new or extended the centres. These are designated as tourist facilities and visitor attractions Primary / Key / District and Local whilst protecting the heritage and Centres on the Policies Map. Within environmental assets that make the these boundaries, proposals for ground Cotswolds attractive to tourists in the floor non-retail uses will only be first place. Development that has a low permitted if the development does not environmental impact, which also harm the retail focus on these addresses an identified weakness or gap frontages.’ in the tourism economy, will be 3.80 Small local shops and services, including encouraged. The Local Plan supports public houses, post offices and surgeries the appropriate development of new or in rural settlements are recognised as extended tourist facilities and visitor important economic assets but also as a attractions whilst protecting the focus for wider social and community heritage and environmental assets that activities. Proposals which would result make the Cotswolds attractive to in the loss of services and facilities tourists in the first place. should be avoided where this would 3.84 The Destination Management Plan for damage the viability of a settlement or Tourism Across the Cotswolds, April increase car travel by local residents. 2014 vision is ‘To ensure that the 3.81 Proposals for main town centre uses Cotswolds is a vibrant year-round should: destination where visitors enjoy high quality, authentic experiences and • be of a size, scale, function and tourism makes an increasing intensity appropriate to the position contribution to the economic, social and of the Centre in the Retail Hierarchy environmental sustainability of the local • be consistent with the strategy for economy.’ A SWOT analysis in the the settlement; above Plan for Tourism highlights a • help maintain an appropriate mix of significant range of challenges and uses in the Centre; opportunities that the Local Plan could • contribute to the quality, help to address. Opportunities include: attractiveness and character of the converting day visits to staying visits by settlement, including the Centre, and product development; increasing the the street frontage within which the range of outdoor activities; supporting site is located; and local and independent shops. • be consistent with floor space Weaknesses include: lack of low cost provision requirements for the Centre

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accommodation; poor road signage; nature of small enterprises is expected. limited conference facilities; Self-employment in the Cotswolds is concentration of tourism in honeypot significantly higher than the national destinations with little to offer younger average and opportunities for home people and families; and limited working need to be strengthened. parking. Flexible working practices, such as the 3.85 The Local Plan seeks to ensure that new integration of residential and tourism development will be effectively commercial uses within the same unit, and appropriately controlled to protect are therefore an important planning the high quality natural and built tool to support the local economy. environment of the district, especially in Proposals outside Development the AONB. Attractions for which there Boundaries that have residential use as is no special justification for their the principal element of the business location in that particular area, will not will not be acceptable. normally be permitted. 3.89 If suitable buildings become available 3.86 Generally, hotel accommodation in the on a holding, it is important that these district is considered to be adequate, are used in preference to new-build but with scope for the upgrading of development. It is important to ensure existing facilities and further that new uses are sympathetic to the development of conference facilities. rural character of the area, respecting Hotels and other serviced local building styles and materials, in accommodation will normally be keeping with their surroundings, acceptable within settlements as well as without creating adverse environmental extensions to existing facilities. effects due to, for example, nuisance or traffic generation.

Development in the rural area of Community response the plan 3.90 The Neighbourhood Plan supports the 3.87 Agriculture and other land-based following Local Plan policies: sectors, including energy, tourism and recreation, underpin the rural economy • Business Accommodation of the Cotswolds and support a - Small-scale development/expan- considerable number of ancillary sion for B1 employment uses in businesses. Changes in agriculture have the town centre made diversification increasingly - Allocation of land to meet the important to the economic viability of employment requirement for B farm units. The Local Plan encourages Class start-ups and small and the positive development of small rural medium sized enterprises employment premises in appropriate - Encouraging the growth and/or locations to help sustain the rural expansion of existing businesses economy and create local employment - Safeguarding existing employ- opportunities. ment sites for employment use - Implementing planning policies 3.88 Continued demand for rural workspace that positively guide development driven by lifestyle choices, a strong proposals for all types of tourism sector, and the footloose

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employment-generating attractions development including retail and - Ensuring that new tourism tourism development will be effectively - Provision of Live/Work units and appropriately controlled to which are ancillary to residential protect the high quality natural use and built environment of the - Proposals for employment– district, especially in the AONB. generation where they facilitate - Supporting provision of an indoor the retention or growth of a local tourist attraction, such as a town employment opportunity. museum or heritage centre - • Town Centre retail: Improving the physical - Strengthening the vitality and environment of the town centre viability of key centres such as and easing congestion. Stow • Rural businesses - Maintaining A1 retail use in town - Encouraging development of centre retail frontages small rural employment premises - Ensuring that local residents have in appropriate locations to help access to a range and choice of A1 sustain the rural economy and shops create local employment - Maintaining key local service opportunities. provision - Supporting flexible working - Retaining retail market share to practices, such as the integration prevent further expenditure of residential and commercial leaving the district uses within the same unit as in - Supporting a diverse range of uses live/work units on upper floors in the town centre - Supporting the reuse of - Refusing proposals which would redundant buildings result in the loss of services and - Ensuring that new uses are facilities sympathetic to the rural character - Ensuring that proposals for town of the area, respecting local centres are of an appropriate size, building styles and materials and scale, function and intensity in keeping with their surroundings maintain an appropriate mix of - Supporting proposals for small- uses; contribute to the quality, scale employment development attractiveness and character of appropriate to the rural area the settlement, the centre, and where they are justified by a the street frontage and consistent business case with floor space provision - Supporting employment requirements for the town centre generating uses which involve based on the latest evidence agricultural diversification - Supporting improved parking provision for town centres. 3.91 There is concern over the failure of the Local Plan to make specific provision for • Tourism the development of B1 business space - Supporting the appropriate in the town centre. development of new or extended tourist facilities and visitor

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residents for spaces on roads Infrastructure issues surrounding the market square and town car parks, taking up spaces that could be used by visitors to the town. Current situation Parking 3.96 As a “Key Town Centre” in the district’s retail hierarchy, serving both local area 3.92 Stow has been recognised as suffering domestic service and retail and also from traffic capacity and parking tourist/visitor requirements, Stow problems which if unresolved may stifle attracts a great deal of traffic most of economic growth20. which is motorised.

3.93 In the Market Square and surrounding 3.97 In 2011 there were 966 households in streets, within 250m of the town centre, Stow with a population of 2,042 people Stow has a total of about 302 free, and ownership of 1262 vehicles. These public, on-street parking spaces. Of figures may be an understatement of these 141 are unrestricted and 161 are the actual local parking requirement. restricted to 2 hours. Many older buildings have no off-road parking, while others are located in 3.94 Additional off-street public car parks are narrow roads with double yellow lining also available in the town: restrictions to ensure traffic flow. There are many households that do not, and • Town car park at Tesco (490m from cannot, have on-site parking facilities or town centre) – 100 free spaces adjacent to kerbside parking. • Maugersbury Road car park (600m from town centre) – 65 pay and 3.98 Over the last 30 years, infill display spaces plus 5 free coach development has reduced off-street parking spaces. parking, and changes of use to create office or shop space with an associated 3.95 Although there is additional on-street increase of staff numbers, and and off-street parking elsewhere in the increased tourist accommodation town, the area where most visitors and without sufficient parking for the guests shoppers wish to park and which is have also created a further parking under most pressure, is the Market requirement. Square which is restricted to short term parking during the day. This restriction 3.99 Stow-on-the-Wold has unique local cir- is to facilitate parking for short term cumstances, and a blanket approach to visitors to shops and offices, plus visiting providing and controlling parking may tourists. It also acts as a deterrent for not resolve its problems. Special longer term temporary users including arrangements for controlling parking business people who commute to Stow and the provision of parking spaces to staff the shops and offices. But for within the town should be devised and the deterrent to be successful the time applied by the controlling authorities. restriction needs constant policing. These daily commuters vie with local 3.100 There is high dependence on car travel because of a paucity of buses servicing

20 Comments concerning CDC Local Plan Reg 18 Consultation – Dec 2015

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the local area. Cars are the preferred 3.103 The rate of growth in patient numbers means of reaching the local railway at the present medical practice requires stations which enable travel to the provision of a new medical centre Worcester, London and beyond but do which would comprise not only a not connect with many local towns such surgery but also accommodation for as Cheltenham. district nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and chiropody/ 3.101 To help solve the parking issue in Stow podiatry provision for day care for the there is an urgent local need to: elderly and for those with learning • Ensure that any new build or disabilities and a drop-in centre for the conversion that would entail further younger patients. vehicle parking numbers must not be Sport and Leisure permitted unless there is an 3.104 Stow-on-the-Wold has 16 – 18 associated indigenous provision for individual clubs who meet in the parking of such vehicles as set out in Masonic Rooms, the Church Rooms or the town Community Design St.Edward’s Hall. These premises are Statement. frequently fully booked and, when a

• Any further rental accommodation large number is expected at a meeting, (hotel, guest house, holiday let and St Edward’s Church has to be the similar) is not approved or developed fallback venue. There is therefore a without adequate parking. need for additional community space. • Identify and provide further off- Residents in King George’s and the Park street parking for both residents and Street areas tend to use the Social Club business users. (ex Royal British Legion Club) for • Ensure greater compliance with socialising. Young people have only the parking time limits to free up prime Youth Club which may need to relocate location short term parking locations in the future. for business and tourist visitors. Road traffic congestion Health 3.105 Stow on the Wold, at the top of a hill, is 3.102 In Cotswold District a higher proportion a nodal point for eight roads in the of residents have good general health North Cotswolds. Running north/south compared with the rest of the county is the A429 (Fosseway) primary route. and life expectancy continues to rise. Just south of the town, at the bottom of There is a variety of local groups a hill, the A424 from Burford joins the providing health promotion activities, A429, at the top of the hill, in the town, community and end-of-life care, and the A436 from the east intersects at the volunteer drivers offer a valued Unicorn crossroads, this road having transport service. A strategy is needed been joined down the hill on the eastern for the future support of older people. side by the B4450 from Bledington and Health and care services are increasingly Kingham (main access route to/from centralised, making access difficult for Kingham Railway Station). To the west patients in the Stow area without at this Unicorn crossroads is the B4068, transport. Poor emergency response a steep decline to Lower Swell, Naunton times have caused concern - the First and Andoversford. This point, where Responder Scheme is in part a solution. the A429 road only has one lane each way, is the first major traffic pinch and

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congestion point, which is recognised as (Oxfordshire), by an agreement such in the Gloucestershire Local Traffic apparently between Oxfordshire and Plan (LTP), and is the most heavily used Gloucestershire Highways for such section of road in North traffic to alternatively route Oxford to Gloucestershire, carrying 20,000 Northleach on the A40, then north on movements per day. Slightly further the A429 Fosseway to Stow on the north up the A429, to the east, there is Wold, through Stow on the Wold and the main entry road (High Street) to the then north west on the A424 to rejoin Stow on the Wold town square which the A44 at Troopers Lodge and vice takes all the visiting heavy traffic, versa. Whilst this action reduced the including many tourist coaches, and a HGV traffic through Chipping Norton, major proportion of the light traffic Moreton in Marsh and Bourton on the entering the town centre. Shortly Hill, it has increased this HGV traffic flow afterwards on the A429 is the junction over the A40, and in particular the A429 with the B4077 (another steep decline) through Stow, with associated to Upper Swell and Tewkesbury to the increased air pollution, and without any west, together with the A424 (Evesham compensating road upgrades, or Road) to the North West to join the A44 planned measures to alleviate the major at Troopers Lodge. This combination of Cotswold pinch points on the A429 at roads is the second major pinch point. Stow on the Wold. Furthermore, Frequently, due to the convergence of current proposals to downgrade the all of these roads, plus resultant A44 through Chipping Norton, and compression of traffic onto this short associated air pollution in that town, section of the A429, the roadway should be treated with caution as, if between the two pinch points is almost implemented, they will further constantly congested, resulting in exacerbate the problems on the A429 at tailbacks on all of the town approaches. Stow and increase the air pollution During peak hours, and in the holiday levels in an area close to residential seasons, these tailbacks can extend for accommodation. a considerable distance. Indeed, during 3.107 The congestion problems on the A429 at a recent road resurfacing operation Stow on the Wold blight travel into and involving this second pinch point out of the town, especially at peak whereby the road was closed holiday times and weekends, constrict considerable traffic disruption was both business and tourism expansion of caused in this part of the North the town, and hinder normal movement Cotswolds. by residents; it is a stranglehold that 3.106 The A429 is the major north/south road urgently needs to be resolved. This has in east Gloucestershire and carries a been recognised for some time and it very high proportion of transient traffic, has been noted that the traffic levels travelling through these two pinch have increased significantly over the last points. Furthermore, the A44, the main 20 years without any compensatory road from London to Aberystwyth, improvement to the road. To raise which routes through Oxford in the east awareness of this issue Stow Town and Evesham/Worcester in the west has Council detailed the problems in its been “tweaked” to eliminate most letter TPJBL0002 dated 15 August 2014 HGVs entering Chipping Norton to GCC (Commissioning Director –

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Communities & Infrastructure), copy to within easy reach of the town centre, the MP, CDC and neighbouring towns. thus making the town centre more As part of the follow up staff action GCC pedestrian friendly. A suitable site Highways Authority formed the A429 could also be identified for additional Fosse Way Task Group study in early off-street car parking provision to 2016 and its report was considered by alleviate the impact of tourism and GCC in November 2016. This report maintain the contribution that noted the pinch point congestion in visitors make to the town’s economy. both Stow on the Wold and Moreton in • Development of a town museum to Marsh, the need to improve traffic flow enhance the attraction of Stow to by road widening, further passing visitors. places, plus consider the need for by- • Any new developments should take passes in the future for these two account of parking and congestion towns. It noted that, unlike other inter issues in the centre of the town and county main roads in Gloucestershire the need for improvements to the which were maintained by Highways pedestrian environment to enhance England, this was the only road not the centre. classified as a trunk road and as such • A new community facility, was maintained by GCC. (This road was incorporating sports and leisure part of a GCC submission to DfT in provision. November 2016 for inclusion in the • New health services, being provided Major Road Network (MRN) review). on a suitable site. Indeed, this non trunk status was a • Once contributions to delivery of factor in allowing at appeal additional infrastructure required in the North direct traffic access at the proposed Cotswolds Sub Area (Policy SA3) have care home site next to Bretton House been made, development proposals south of Stow. In addition to these will, subject to viability, be expected traffic flow problems, the lack of parking to help deliver or make appropriate close to Stow Town Centre continues to contributions towards these cause issues for business users, proposals. residents and visitors. Community response

3.109 The Neighbourhood Plan endorses the Local Plan Proposals aforementioned proposals and the 3.108 Community-led planning documents following sites are proposed to satisfy and surveys have identified a number of the additional parking provision: projects to address issues raised. These • White Hart Lane – 30 spaces (but include the provision of an indoor-based currently there is extant planning tourist attraction such as a town permission for 7 houses) museum, leisure facilities and car • Site behind Majestic Wines – 17 parking. Specifically, this includes: spaces • Options should be explored for • Stow Town Council Allotments – 15 improving the physical environment spaces of the town centre, including moving • Parson’s Corner – 15 spaces some car parking provision from the • Back Walls – 7 spaces Market Square to a suitable location • Maugersbury Road Car Park – not

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additional parking but rather there is protection such designation would an aspiration for Stow Town Council confer: to manage the existing car park. (It is • QE2 Jubilee Field/Cricket Ground currently under the auspices of • King George V Field and extension Cotswold District Council.) • Fountain Green • The Stocks Green • Green infrastructure The Shrubbery • The triangular green at the junction

3.110 Although the Local Plan encourages the of The Park with Back Walls development of a green network within • The green in front of and to the west communities, it is silent as far as Stow of The Bell Inn is concerned. The following sites are • The Wells identified as requiring designation as • The green at the junction of King green spaces to afford them the George V Road with Oddington Road

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4 Vision and key goals for infrastructure. the Neighbourhood Development Plan

4.1 The vision for Stow that the Neighbourhood Plan seeks to achieve is: ‘The town will continue to be a working community that recognises the distinctiveness of the people that live, work in, or visit the area. The Plan aims to conserve Stow’s beautiful, attractive environment and heritage whilst providing jobs, accessibility and activities for all.’

Key goals to achieve the vision

4.2 Based on the issues identified during the Plan consultations, the existing material available and the various surveys undertaken, the Plan sets out four goals to achieve this vision:

Goal 1: To ensure that the unique townscape and environment of the town and the surrounding parish is conserved and enhanced.

Goal 2: To ensure that the community has an adequate supply of affordable housing to meet its needs.

Goal 3: To secure and develop the town’s economy.

Goal 4: To ensure that the community has appropriate infrastructure in terms of health services, community facilities, traffic and parking, public transport, and its green

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4.3 These goals are in line with the National Planning Policy Framework and the objectives in Cotswold District Council’s Local Plan 2011-2016. The Neighbourhood Plan includes a range of policies which should help to achieve these goals.

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5 The policies to achieve the • Protect the open countryside against sporadic development, while also Plan’s goals avoiding coalescence of settlements. • Support the creation of new green infrastructure to enhance environmental quality and provide 5.1 This part of the Neighbourhood Plan: health benefits. • Briefly states the objectives and policies in the Local Plan which seek 5.3 Although the Emerging Local Plan to address the Neighbourhood Plan mentions a requirement for public goals and which the Neighbourhood library facilities in Stow, this need has Plan supports. Further details of now been satisfied and a permanent these policies can be found in the site has been agreed in St Edward’s Hall. Local Plan21. • Sets out the Neighbourhood Plan Neighbourhood Plan Policies which seek either to amend or augment the Local Plan policies. 5.4 The National Planning Policy Framework The objective of each Neighbour- - ‘Requiring Good Design’ - states that hood Plan policy is stated at the start ‘permission should be refused for of the policy – this is followed by the developments of poor design which fail policy itself. to take the opportunities available for improving the character and quality of an area and the way it functions’. Historic and natural environment However, despite the existence of the ‘Cotswold Design Code’ and Stow’s Goal 1: To ensure that the unique conservation area status, all too often in townscape and environment of the recent years the design, materials and town and the surrounding parish is detailing of new buildings in Stow has conserved and enhanced fallen far short of these criteria – and been detrimental to the overall Local Plan appearance of the town. 5.2 The Neighbourhood Plan supports the following objectives and policies in the 5.5 Because the urban environment of Stow Local Plan: is precious and unique, Stow requires a Community Design Statement which is • New land allocations need to be specific to the needs of the town to sensitive to the environmental ensure that new developments match constraints and the need to ensure the existing vernacular buildings in that the town's historic character is terms of design and materials, while maintained. addressing current needs in the • New development is of a high quality provision of car parking and the layout and sustainable design, which of roads and dwellings, as well as reflects local character and changing lifestyles. distinctiveness, is appropriately sited, and provides attractive and Policy ENV1: inclusive environments. Stow and the Swells Community

21 Cotswold District Council Local Plan 2016

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Design Statement Policy ENV2: To ensure that all new Stow and the Swells Community developments will conserve and Design Statement enhance the unique character of To ensure that all new Stow town and parish, applications developments will conserve and for new development will only be enhance the unique character of granted which: Stow town and Swell parish, Stow Town Council and Swell Parish • maintain the character of the Council will seek to have the existing town and parish Community Design Statement environment adopted as Supplementary • will not adversely affect the Planning Guidance as specified in character of the town the Government’s National • conform to the Cotswold Design Planning Policy Framework. Code • conform to the Stow Policy ENV3: Community Design Statement Advisory Design Group • conform to the AONB, Con- To ensure that all developments servation Area and Character proposed for the Plan area are Area Guidelines. rigorously tested against the criteria in ENV1, Stow Town

Council will set up an advisory 5.6 The NPPF states that ‘Supplementary group with suitable expertise, planning documents should be used which will monitor the process by where they can help applicants make which developments are assessed, successful applications or aid liaising with the District Council, infrastructure delivery, and should not and advising Stow Town Council on be used to add unnecessarily to the its response to planning financial burdens on development’22. applications as a statutory However, because of the way property consultee. developments are appraised by

developers, a detailed Community 5.7 While residents accepted that Design Statement is a benefit and does development in Stow was an inevitable not ‘add unnecessarily to the financial part of the town’s development, the burdens on development’. This also town has evolved into its present form applies to the restoration of listed in a slow, ‘organic’ way, and this form of buildings. development should be allowed to continue in future. It was felt that adopting this form of ‘organic’ development, where housing developments are limited to a maximum of ten dwellings at any one

22 NPPF Section 153

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time, would give the town enough time of twenty-seven affordable housing to absorb the impact of new buildings units. It is felt that this is the and the increasing numbers of people responsibility of the community or the living within its boundaries. This should Town Council because, if any affordable not prevent the delivery of the housing housing has to be built as part of a proposed in the Plan over the Plan private sector housing development, period. based on the percentage requirement for affordable housing in the Local Plan, Policy ENV4: a development of 68 houses would be Organic development required to satisfy the demand for To ensure that the fabric of the affordable housing. Since the town is town has enough time to absorb already built up to its development the impact of new housing boundary, a development of this size developments and the increasing would have to take place in the AONB, numbers of people living within its which would be unacceptable. A much boundaries, new housing better solution to satisfy the objectively developments will be limited to a assessed need for affordable housing in maximum of ten dwellings at any Stow and to ensure that local people one time. benefitted, would be for the Stow council allotments, the Youth Club, the Fire Station and the Bartlett’s Park site to be developed and let by a community Housing - including Affordable land trust or successor organisation Housing without the need for substantial incursion into the AONB and developing Goal 2: To ensure that the community around 30 affordable dwellings. (Stow has an adequate supply of good Town Council wishes to make it clear quality affordable housing that it wishes for both the Fire and Police stations to remain operational as Local Plan long as possible and only be given 5.8 The Neighbourhood Plan endorses the consideration should the properties following objectives and policies in the come onto the market.) Local Plan: • Proposals for housing mix and the Policy H1: percentage of affordable housing to To satisfy the objectively assessed be provided in any new demand for at least twenty-seven development. affordable houses in Stow in a way • Support for live/work housing. that meets townscape and AONB • The requirement that any new guidelines and ensures that any developments should follow the affordable housing created will be Cotswold Design Code and should sold or let through a community reflect the environment into which land trust or successor they area placed. organisation, and to ensure affordable housing of local people Neighbourhood Plan policies in perpetuity, thus minimizing the incursion into the AONB, the Plan 5.9 There is a proven need for a minimum supports the development of the

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following sites for affordable housing by a community land trust Policy H5 or successor organisation: To ensure that new housing development makes best use of • Stow Town Council allotments – previously developed land and 5 to 7 affordable/self-build existing buildings, support will be houses given to development proposals • Youth Club – 2 to 3 affordable that bring previously developed flats/ houses land and existing buildings into use provided the proposals confirm to • Bartlett’s Park – 2 to 4 the conditions in Policy ENV1. affordable houses.

Policy H2: Policy H6: To ensure that any new affordable To ensure that the development of housing is made available to local additional care home accom- people, priority in the letting or modation for older people does sale of these houses will be given not place an undue burden on the to people in need of affordable community’s resources and result housing who can also demonstrate in an unbalanced population, a local connection on first and permission for new care home subsequent occupation. development for older people will only be granted where the developer can demonstrate clearly Policy H3: that the development will provide To ensure that new housing accommodation for people already developments provide adequate living in Stow and will not place an parking, proposals for new additional burden on the local residential development will only be health and social infrastructure. In permitted where it can be any case no such developments demonstrated that off-street other than truly affordable care parking provision complies with housing for local older people that specified in the Community should be granted permission Design Statement and is adequate before 2031. to meet likely future needs.

Policy H4: New housing developments must provide an appropriate contribution towards community infrastructure. Development proposals must demonstrate that these issues have been resolved before planning permission is granted.

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Economy

Goal 3: To secure and develop the Policy EC2: town’s economy, particularly the Town Live/Work Units Centre To create new employment by building on the large number of Neighbourhood Plan Policies home workers already living and Policy EC1: working in Stow, new housing Business Accommodation developments which include live/work units where small-scale To provide suitable businesses can be set up at the accommodation for small place where the business owner businesses and to ensure that Stow lives will be supported. benefits from the expansion of

existing businesses, the creation of new businesses and any inward Policy EC3: investing businesses, the Plan Stow Town Museum / Heritage identifies the former Stow Centre Agricultural Services site to be To build on Stow’s attraction for reserved for B1 business use which tourists, to generate additional may include a centre for craftsmen. turnover and create additional employment, a town museum/

5.10 Development of the internet has heritage centre, craft shops and increased the opportunity for home town council offices located in the working and a percentage of dwellings former Magistrates Court and in new developments could include the Police Station is supported. provision of integral workspace. This type of accommodation would appeal to skilled tradesmen, retailers, creatives 5.11 Stow Town Council wishes to make it and others, and encourage people to set clear that it wishes for both the Fire and up in business, avoiding the costs of Police stations to remain operational as separate premises. No specific location long as possible and only be given is envisaged but a percentage of such consideration should the properties units could be incorporated into new come onto the market. housing developments. Provision of a number of small workshops in this way would help sustain the strong Cotswold craft tradition and encourage the creation of small local ventures.

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Infrastructure Policies Sport leisure and community

Goal 4 – Infrastructure: To ensure that Policy INF2: the community has appropriate To ensure that the community has infrastructure in terms of health appropriate sports facilities a new services, traffic, parking, public sports and community facility to be transport, and its green infrastructure. located on King George V and/or QEII playing fields is supported. Local Plan Policies

5.12 The Neighbourhood Plan supports the Parking and traffic following Local Plan policies Policy INF3: • Viable and economic solutions to To ensure that Stow has a local traffic, parking and access to be parking policy that matches its developed which preserve the unique requirements, Stow Town sensitive, historic central area of the Council will work with the Planning town. and Roads Authorities to create a • The development of a new medical parking policy specific to Stow’s centre. needs. • Improving the streetscape and promoting traffic management improvements in Stow town centre. Policy INF4: • Provision of a network of multi- To reduce traffic flows in the town functional green spaces. and enhance the environment and • Development of a new community improve pedestrian safety, facility incorporating sports, leisure investigation of the possibility of and Youth Club facilities. the construction of a town bypass Neighbourhood Plan Policies is supported. 5.13 In order that the Stow community has proper facilities the following sites are Policy INF5: allocated for health, sports, leisure and Additional parking sites community uses: In order to ensure that there is adequate parking adjacent to the Health town centre, the Plan allocates the following additional sites for Policy INF1: parking: To ensure that the community has • White Hart Lane appropriate medical facilities a • Site behind Majestic Wines new Medical Centre to be located • at Tall Trees Paddock is supported. Stow Town Council allotments • Parson’s Corner • Back Walls • Although outside the Plan area part of the Rugby Club car park is proposed as a possible new ‘Park and Ride’ facility.

©Stow-on-the-Wold Town Council and Swell Parish Council 2017 Stow-on-the-Wold and Swell Neighbourhood Development Plan 62

Green infrastructure 5.14 The National Planning Policy Framework defines green infra-structure as ‘A network of multi-functional green space, urban and rural, which is capable of delivering a wide range of environmental and quality of life benefits for local communities’. This is to ensure that individual assets and the integrity and connectivity of the green infrastructure network are planned, created, protected and enhanced, whilst recognising that the network extends beyond the district.

Policy INF6: Green spaces network To ensure that existing local green spaces are maintained, protected and enhanced, and to create a green space network on the town, the Town Council will seek to have the following sites designated as ‘green spaces’: • QEII Jubilee Field/Cricket Ground • King George V Field and extension • Wragg’s Row • Fountain Green • The Stocks Green • The Shrubbery • The triangular green at the junction of The Park with Back Walls • The green in front of and to the west of The Bell Inn • The Wells • The green at the junction of King George V Road with Oddington Road.

©Stow-on-the-Wold Town Council and Swell Parish Council 2017 Stow-on-the-Wold and Swell Neighbourhood Development Plan 63

6 Land use projects and other actions

See separate documents

©Stow-on-the-Wold Town Council and Swell Parish Council 2017