August 2026 Email News Update
This is a copy of the email news update sent to recipients on 19 August 2026.
Welcome to the August 2026 update on The Steadings, Cirencester.
Our newsletters keep you informed on what has been going on in the area, from progress with the development to planning news, and opportunities to get involved.
In this edition, you will find the latest on:
Development Updates
- Keepmoat begin on site ahead of building 100 homes
- HarperCrewe to return to The Steadings to build a further 129 homes
Infrastructure Update
- Enabling and landscape works within Phase Two
Planning Update
- Cotswold District Council Local Plan
Community Updates
- Site walk
- Dragonfly surveys
- Phoenix Festival
- Community Hub
DEVELOPMENT UPDATES
Left to right: Tania Lillie – Keepmoat, Gavin Somers – Keepmoat, Matthew Squires – Homes England, Ben Stephenson – Homes England, Lord Bathurst – Bathurst Development, Peter Cusdin – Bathurst Development Ltd, Ben Le (Image credit: Keepmoat).
Keepmoat begin on site ahead of building 100 homes
Homes England’s appointed developer, Keepmoat, has started to set up on site. Their preparatory works include timber hoardings around Parcels 2A, 2B & 2C, the extension of the construction access roads and laying out of compounds. The groundworks and construction work is expected to start in September to build 100 new homes within Parcel 2A.
The new homes will be a mix of one and two-bedroom apartments and two to five-bedroom homes, with 31% Affordable Homes (31 homes).
Any sales queries for the homes in Parcel 2A should be directed to Keepmoat:
keepmoat.com/the-steadings-cirencester
For queries relating to the construction work on site in Parcels 2A contact Keepmoat via: KHSW.CustomerCare@keepmoat.com.
Computer Generated Image for illustrative purposes only. Credit HarperCrewe.
HarperCrewe to return to The Steadings to build 129 homes
Following receiving approval from the Cotswold District Council Planning Committee on 11 August, for their Reserved Matters Application, HarperCrewe will start on site in October to build 129 homes, this includes 31% Affordable Homes (40 homes). And, construction of the Village Centre.
HarperCrewe has been appointed by Bathurst Development for the delivery of Parcel 2D continuing our ongoing relationship with the SME developer who also delivered the well-received first phase of 68 homes at The Steadings.
All sales queries for the homes in Parcel 2D should be directed to HarperCrewe:
HarperCrewe | The Steadings
INFRASTRUCTURE UPDATE (ON-SITE)
Phase Two at The Steadings accessed via Spratsgate Lane.
Enabling and landscape works within Phase Two
Enabling works by BDL have begun for the next parcels (2D and 2E), these works include:
- enabling works, such as erecting safety fences and timber hoardings; setting up site compounds; and extending the construction access roads;
- earthworks, such as to move and reprofile the topsoil and subsoil stockpiles within Parcel 2D to Parcels 3D and 3H towards Chesterton Farm;
- landscaping to extend the Northern Greenspace to the north of Parcel 2D; and
- construction of the next section of the spine road through Parcels 2D and 2E and a pumping station.
We are pleased to continue to be working with Montel Civil Engineering and Whitings Landscape for these works.
In addition, The Environmental Dimension Partnership Ltd (EDP) are also conducting some work in the area around Parcel 2D and continuing to monitor species such as great crested newts. This sits alongside their work in monitoring the infrastructure works under an ongoing watching brief.
This item on our News page of our website shows the locations of each Parcel mentioned.
Updated Information Boards – The Steadings
Any queries on the enabling work can be directed by email to: community@thesteadingscirencester.co.uk
PLANNING UPDATE
Cotswold District Council Local Plan
Following the publication by Cotswold District Council of the draft Local Plan (July 2026), Bathurst Development will be reviewing and making representations in relation to The Steadings. The public consultation begins on 24 August 2026.
A news item from Cotswold District Council on the Local Plan can be found on their website here:
CDC Local Plan News Item: 24 July 2026
COMMUNITY UPDATES
Community site tour
We hosted a site tour of parts of Phase Two on 20 May for local residents, giving an opportunity to see the infrastructure progress to date, including the northern green space, play areas, part of the southern country park, and the primary street.
The overall impression of the work to date was well received and everyone is looking forward to being able to use the open and green spaces.
Once the footpath and cycle path connection through to Cranhams Lane has been established, the plan is for the access to the Northern Greenspace (behind Berkeley Road and Alexander Drive) to open in Summer 2027.
Further site tours will be arranged at appropriate stages in the construction phase.
Emperor and Common Darter. Images courtesy of Martin Roberts.
Dragonfly surveys
Dragonfly surveys have been conducted around the large attenuation pond in the main site. Five species have been identified in total around the pond including:
- Emperor Dragonfly
- Black-tailed Skimmer
- Common Darter
- Common Blue Damselfly
- Blue-tailed Damselfly
Images courtesy of Martin Roberts.
We will continue to monitor the species that are using the pond and attracted into the site more widely.
Sponsorship support
We are delighted to be supporting The Phoenix Festival Cirencester again this year.
Held over the August Bank Holiday weekend. Always a fun and entertaining weekend, that is free to attend!
Visit their website for more details:
phoenix-festival.co.uk
The Community Hub at The Steadings
Within the first phase of The Steadings, on Sivewright Way (off Wilkinson Road), one of the homes has been acquired for use as a Community Hub.
This is a two-bedroom property with two rooms upstairs with desks for working or meeting space, and a room downstairs with table and chairs for meeting space. There is wifi throughout and kitchen facilities.
The Hub is available for anyone to use.
For more information contact the CMT:
The Community Hub – The Steadings Community Management Trust
Join our next Community Liaison Group meeting
The next Community Liaison Group meeting, open to all within the Cirencester residential and business community, is taking place on Tuesday 27 October at 6pm (you may join either in-person or online).
The quarterly meetings are designed to update local residents, businesses and community groups on progress with the delivery of the new neighbourhood for Cirencester, and provide an opportunity for questions and discussion.
Residents who currently live in The Steadings are very welcome to attend the CLG meetings. Any specific questions relating to their individual properties should be directed to the Community Management Trust. This will ensure the CLG meetings remain focused on the latest site-wide news and updates for the wider community.
If you would like to join the next meeting, please email community@thesteadingscirencester.co.uk to register.
Spaces are limited for in-person. Microsoft Teams joining details will be provided for online attendees.