Environmental Assessment Scope Expanded for Proposed Miller Homes Development
The Longfurlong Greenfields Association would like to provide residents with an important update regarding the proposed Miller Homes development and the recent decision by Cotswold District Council on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Scoping Opinion.
Strong Community Response Makes a Difference
Firstly, the Association would like to extend sincere thanks to everyone who took the time to submit consultation responses to Cotswold District Council.
Over 50 representations were received; many raising concerns that the original Scoping Report submitted by Miller Homes, which sought to significantly narrow the scope of environmental assessment. The strength and clarity of these responses played a vital role in ensuring that key issues were properly considered.
Council Decision: Wider Environmental Scope Required
Having now reviewed the Council’s Scoping Opinion, it is clear that community input has had a meaningful impact.
Miller Homes initially proposed excluding several important topics from detailed assessment, including:
- Heritage and archaeology
- Climate change
- Lighting and dark skies
- Agricultural land
- Transport
- Flood risk
- Air quality and noise
- Infrastructure and human health
However, Cotswold District Council has rejected a number of these exclusions and has required a significantly broader and more robust Environmental Statement.
Key Areas Now Included
The Council has confirmed that the Environmental Statement must now include detailed assessment of:
- Heritage and archaeology
Including impacts on designated and non-designated heritage assets, along with archaeological investigation of the site.
- Climate change
Covering both environmental impacts and the resilience of the proposed development.
- Dark skies and lighting
Reflecting the site’s sensitive position within the Cotswolds National Landscape.
- Biodiversity
A strengthened approach requiring additional ecological surveys and deeper analysis.
- Cumulative impacts
A broader assessment of how this proposal, alongside other developments, could affect Tetbury’s landscape, infrastructure and services.
Additional Supporting Reports Required
Although not all issues will be presented as standalone chapters within the Environmental Statement, the Council has still mandated several detailed supporting reports, including:
- Transport Assessment and Travel Plan
- Flood Risk Assessment and Drainage Strategy
- Noise Impact Assessment
- Agricultural Land Classification Survey
These documents will remain important considerations in any future planning decision.
What This Means
This outcome represents a positive step forward for the community.
Throughout the consultation, the Association consistently argued for a comprehensive and transparent environmental assessment. The Council’s decision reflects many of those concerns, requiring a far more extensive evaluation than originally proposed.
As a result:
- Miller Homes will need to undertake significantly more detailed evidence-gathering
- Additional ecological, archaeological and technical studies will be required
- The complexity and cost of preparing the application will increase
- The timeline for submission may be extended
Looking Ahead
While this decision does not determine whether planning permission will ultimately be granted, it ensures that any future application will be subject to a much more thorough and rigorous assessment.
The Longfurlong Greenfields Association will continue to monitor developments closely and will keep residents informed as further information becomes available.
Thank You
Finally, thank you again to everyone who contributed to the consultation process. This outcome demonstrates that well-informed and constructive community engagement can make a real and measurable difference.
Longfurlong Greenfields Association