A mixed-use, urban extension to create a vibrant neighbourhood with sustainability at its heart

The vision at Chesterton seeks to create a unique, sustainable neighbourhood that will represent appropriate growth of Cirencester whilst significantly contributing toward the urgent need for new homes in the area. The masterplan will include over 2,000 new, high-quality homes, employment space, community facilities, open space and a new primary school and pre-school.

At the heart of the development, a mixed-use neighbourhood centre will meet the day-to-day needs of people living and working there, incorporating refurbished and converted listed buildings at Chesterton Farm. This centre will reinforce links into Chesterton by providing facilities for the new and existing community such as convenience retail, community uses and healthcare.

The new neighbourhood will also benefit from public open spaces, both informal and formal, with play and recreation areas, as well as opportunities for residents to grow their own food. The site’s biodiversity has also been considered with the creation of new habitats distributed within the site, enhancing the local wildlife. Alongside this, significant landscape planting and existing trees and hedgerows will also be retained.

Project Delivery

– 2,350 residential dwellings of which 30% will be affordable, including 100 units of student accommodation and 60 homes for the elderly.

– A broad range of housing types from 1 and 2 bedroom apartments through to larger 4 and 5 bedroom family homes.

– 1 ha of employment land, generating approximately 1,600 jobs.

– A Community Hub including: a community hall; a sports hall; GP surgery; local convenience stores; and the possibility of a pharmacy, bank, restaurant, and public house.

– The new facilities within the development will complement those that exist in neighbouring areas and benefit new residents and the wider community.

– A new 3-form entry primary school and pre-school with capacity for over 600 pupils.

– A series of pedestrian routes and cycleways comprising attractive circular routes and integrating the scheme with Chesterton and the town centre.

– Green infrastructure to include 100 acres of open space; playing fields; allotments; environmental and ecological considerations as well as extensive landscaping.