Cotswold District Council has published draft options for future housing development in response to a sharp rise in government-imposed targets for new homes.

The number of homes the council needs to plan for each year has more than doubled - to 1,036 - as part of a national drive to build 1.5 million homes during this parliament.

In early November, the council will launch a public consultation, following Cabinet endorsement of potential development scenarios later this month.

Cllr Mike Evemy, leader of Cotswold District Council, said: "We've been dealt a really tough hand. Over 80% of our district is protected National Landscape, which severely limits where houses can be built. Yet we're expected to plan for 18,650 homes over the next 18 years - a staggering number."

The council has developed several strategic options based on land that could be available, and housing that could be delivered in the time period. The recommended option that will be discussed by councillors next week includes:

• A new village near Driffield
• Extensions to Kemble, Ampney Crucis, Preston, Siddington, Fairford, Moreton-in-Marsh and Cirencester
• Smaller developments in other towns and villages

This option could provide sites to deliver 14,660 homes between now and 2043 - the updated Local Plan period - with potential development areas outside of the National Landscape across the north, south and east of the district.

Only one of the options meets the full government target, and this involves building within the National Landscape, which is unlikely to be viable under current planning rules.

The council is also talking with neighbouring authorities exploring whether they can help meet the shortfall. The consultation in November will also include a call for further sites in the district that have potential to be used for housing.

"It's crucial to emphasise that at this stage, these numbers are indicative and high-level," said Cllr Evemy. "The figures are based on sites that currently have planning permission, as well as sites that have been put forward to the council by landowners, which have potential for housing.

"This consultation is about testing ideas and hearing from residents who know their communities best. Some sites might be discounted; other new sites may come forward. This marks the beginning of an important conversation on how we manage the government's demands for a huge increase in housing development, which I know is going to be difficult at times."

While the council fully supports more affordable housing for local people, it has challenged the scale of the government's targets. In July, Cllr Evemy wrote to Angela Rayner, the previous Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, requesting a rethink. In response, the minister said there would be no change to housing numbers and that the council should proceed with a full update to its Local Plan.

"I'm very frustrated by the excessive housing target that's been foisted on us. But this is a chance to shape our own future," Cllr Evemy added. "We want communities to help decide where development goes and what infrastructure is needed — not Whitehall. And if we don't act now, developers will shape the district with piecemeal applications."

The six-week consultation, starting on Wednesday, November 5, is the first of two which will take place before the final plan is submitted to the Secretary of State in December 2026 for an independent examination. Details on how to take part will be shared soon.

Cotswold councillors unanimously reject 195-home plan