GEOFFREY Clifton-Brown, Cotswold MP, led a debate in Parliament on Thursday where plans to build thousands of homes in Cirencester were discussed.

During the debate on the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), Mr Clifton-Brown raised a serious of important issues, such as the need to give greater protection to AONBs.

As part of the debate, he said that equal weight should be given in the NPPF to environmental and social concerns and that any necessary infrastructure is in place before a new development is completed.

An example he raised the case of the proposed development of 2,350 dwellings in the Chesterton area of Cirencester and the fact that a new sewer would be required, and the impact of new developments in Moreton-in-Marsh on the main road bridge where two HGVs already cannot cross at the same time.

Planning minister, Brandon Lewis responded by saying that  “the provision of timely and robust infrastructure is vital to delivering sustainable development” and that there are provisions for local authorities to deliver that infrastructure.

Mr Clifton-Brown also called for Thames Water, as the water undertaker, to be a statutory consultee on planning applications alongside the Environment Agency and others.

After the debate, Mr Clifton-Brown said that it was a very good debate in which a large number of issues were raised and that  Mr Lewis’ response was encouraging, particularly as he confirmed the importance and usefulness of neighbourhood plans.

He said: “I encourage all communities in the Cotswolds to draw up local plans because it will give that area much greater control of where development takes place. I was also glad to hear what the minister had to say about environmental and social protection, as well as his comments about infrastructure and his promise to carefully consider my proposal for a mentoring scheme for councils that have still not adopted local plans.”