PLANS which could see Moreton potentially double in size have been criticised by the Cotswolds MP.

It comes after residents expressed concerns over Cotswold District Council's Local Plan which earmarked 1,500 homes for Moreton by 2041.

MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown said he understands residents' grave concerns and has written to Cotswold District Council to reconsider the proposal. 

Cotswold Journal: Residents in Moreton have set up a petition opposing the plans.Residents in Moreton have set up a petition opposing the plans. (Image: Darren Curry)Cotswold District Council's local plan for Moreton earmarked the land at the Fire Service College for 310 new homes.

But within these plans, the council revealed its long-term vision for the town which would see over 1,500 additional homes by 2041. 

Sir Geoffrey said he had visited Clair Mowbray, the new director of the Fire College, and was delighted to hear about their plans to expand and add 150 jobs to the area.

But said it will "in no way" provide sufficient additional employment for the proposed 1,500 or so houses for the town.

He said: ‘’I absolutely understand the grave concern of many residents about this scale of development.

Cotswold Journal: MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown has spoken out. MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown has spoken out. (Image: MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown)"I have therefore written to formally ask Cotswold District Council to reconsider these proposals which are disproportionally large compared to other towns in the district.’’

The council still needs to submit a planning application and aims to work with residents to refine its proposal before submitting it.

It has so far hosted one public consultation at Redesdale Hall where it showcased its plans for the future on March 6.

Moreton currently has 2,500 houses and about 4,500 residents.

Councillor Juliet Layton, district council cabinet member for Planning and Regulatory Services, said Moreton is one of eight locations being consulted for potential growth.

This includes other options, such as creating a new settlement somewhere in the Cotswold district, growing another existing settlement, or scattering development around the district.

She added: "Listening to residents' views and properly consulting with communities on the Local Plan is very important to us.

"Our evidence so far points towards around 1,500 additional homes, accompanied by employment, infrastructure and other supporting developments, being located at Moreton-in-Marsh.

"However, we need to consider the feedback from the ongoing Local Plan consultation before making any decisions. 

"Growing Moreton-in-Marsh by around 1,500 homes in a 'garden village style' approach is just one of a number of proposals being considered.

"We are in the very early stages of developing the Local Plan and nothing has been decided yet."