A PLAN to build 250 new homes in the Cotswolds has been given the green light. 

A whopping 38.7 acres of land - the size of 21 football pitches - has been secured by Spitfire Homes to make way for 250 homes in Moreton-in-Marsh. 

The build, located on the southern edge of the town just off the A429, consists of one to five-bedroom homes, which will adhere to the honey-coloured exteriors known to Cotswolds homes.

The site is opposite North Cotswolds Hospital and Fosseway Garden Centre.

According to a council report, several attempts to build on the land have been attempted since 1973 but have fallen through, including a proposal to build a new supermarket in 2013 and 150 homes in 2017.

The 250 homes are being proposed to be built in a phased manner, with the first seeing 146 developed.

Cotswold Journal: What the 250 homes would look like in Moreton-In-Marsh.What the 250 homes would look like in Moreton-In-Marsh. (Image: Pad design)

The proposed housing mix would be 30 one-bed homes, 69 two-beds, 115 three-beds, 32 four-beds and four five-beds.

In 2020, a bid to build 250 homes in Moreton-in-Marsh was deferred due to concerns about the infrastructure “just not being there” in the town, and 175 residents had expressed concerns about the number of homes.

One person who opposed the plan said: “The size of this development is excessive. It will overwhelm the whole neighbourhood.

“The green area surrounding the town will be further destroyed while the  public infrastructure, including traffic and schools, has been left in the same condition as it has been for the past ten years.”

Ben Leather, managing director at Spitfire Homes, said: “We’re really excited to be bringing this collection of premium new homes to Moreton-in-Marsh, with the acquisition of this site marking a return to the Cotswolds for Spitfire Homes following our previous schemes in the region.

“This thriving market town is an extremely desirable location with significant buyer demand.

"Our range of traditionally-inspired properties is designed to meet the needs of a range of buyers, offering well-proportioned, contemporary interiors and striking architectural detail that will fit well into this charming and attractive village setting.”