We, the undersigned residents of Upper Rissington and surrounding areas, OBJECT to the proposal to build 26 houses on the last remaining piece of land set aside for jobs and community facilities in our village.

Why We Object

1. This land is meant for employment/community benefit — not housing

The site (adjacent to Delfin Way) is officially designated as employment land in the Local Plan. This means it was protected for future job opportunities and community facilities. If it is built on for housing now, it will be lost forever.

While the applicant (Vistry) relies on housing land supply arguments under the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), these do not override the requirement for sustainable development. The proposal would increase housing without delivering necessary infrastructure, exacerbating existing deficits from earlier developments.

The Parish Council has already expressed an interest in using the land for community‑focused purposes, proving that it can still serve its intended role.

2. Lack of Community engagement

The lack of any meaningful pre-application community engagement is contrary to the principles of the NPPF and good planning practice.

3. The village already lacks essential community facilities

Promises made during the earlier phases of the 'Victory Fields' developments— such as  providing a pub and a nursery — were never delivered.

Adding even more houses will make the situation worse, not better.

4. The developer did not carry out proper community consultation

Residents were given no meaningful opportunity to comment before the application was submitted. A development of this importance deserves full and open public engagement.

5. The Housing Needs Survey does not justify this development

Recent official survey results show very low confirmed need for affordable housing from people already living in the Parish. Upper Rissington already has a high proportion of affordable homes compared with its size.

6. The plans threaten protected trees and wildlife

The site is surrounded by mature trees with legal protection. The proposed layout appears too close to these trees and risks damaging their roots. The application also lacks proper surveys for protected species such as bats and Great Crested Newts. 

7. The design is cramped and out of keeping with the village

The proposal squeezes far too many houses into a narrow strip of land, with small gardens, very limited parking, and lots of hard surfacing. It does not match the quality or character of the existing Victory Fields development.

Conclusion

This development would permanently remove the last land available for jobs and community facilities, damage protected trees and wildlife, worsen existing infrastructure problems, and add poorly designed housing that the village does not need.

We therefore ask Cotswold District Council to REFUSE this application.