Cllr Julia Judd, Ermin Ward, Cotswold District Council

14/09/2026

Farm491 Mixed Land Use Challenge

Applications are now open and will close on Wednesday 30 September 2026, for the Farm491 Mixed Land Use Challenge, supported by Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.

The prize aims to encourage and support companies fostering innovation in our natural world. Having already awarded £135,000 to pioneering companies, the competition is once again looking for innovative solutions, to create systematic change to our land whilst mitigating competing pressures.

The winner will receive a £40,000 cash prize and the runner up £20,000.

Are you developing tools, technologies, or approaches that promote nature-friendly, multi-functional land use?

14/09/2026

LOCAL PLAN CONSULTATION

Have your say - the Local Plan Consultation runs until 5 October.

Residents, businesses, community organisations and other stakeholders are being invited to help shape the future of the Cotswold District, as the final consultation on the proposed Local Plan 2026-2043 opens today. 

14/09/2026

Two good people regularly litter pick and keep the verges clean around Birdlip, Ullenwood, Seven springs.

They have cleaned up the verges near Nettleton bottom and the layby opposite Stockwell. 👏🥇

14/09/2026

A417 Road closures:

WEEKEND: Friday 11 September 11pm to 6am Monday 14 September

OVERNIGHT:
Monday 14 September 9pm to 6am Wednesday 16 September
Thursday 17 September 9pm to 6am Friday 18 September


The new A436 and A417 will be closed in both directions between the Air Balloon and Ullenwood roundabout and A429 Burford Road overnight:

Wednesday 16 September 9pm to 6am Thursday 17 September

Fully signposted diversion routes will be in place during the closure. Please follow the official, signed diversion route and not satnav.

These activities may generate noise, which we will monitor each night. Access for emergency services will be fully maintained during the closures.

Check the National Highways website for updates and other works in the region.

A46 Brockworth junction to Air Balloon and Ullenwood roundabout diversion

A46 Brockworth junction to Air Balloon and Ullenwood roundabout southbound diversion:
turn left towards Cheltenham onto the A46 Shurdington Road
turn right towards Oxford onto the A40 Thirlestaine Road
turn right towards Cirencester onto London Road
continue towards Cirencester on the A435
turn right on the Seven Springs roundabout onto the A436 and continue towards the Air Balloon Roundabout

Air Balloon and Ullenwood roundabout to A46 Brockworth junction northbound diversion:
turn right at the Air Balloon Roundabout, follow the A436 towards Seven Springs
from Seven Springs roundabout, follow Cirencester road towards Cheltenham
continue on the A435 and turn left towards Cheltenham onto the A40
turn left onto the A40 Old Bath Road
follow the road to the right and remain on the A40
turn left onto the A46 Shurdington Road
take the third turning at Brockworth junction to travel towards Gloucester

A landscape-led highways scheme that will deliver a safe and resilient free-flowing road while conserving and enhancing the special character of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Our scheme will improve the connection between two dual carriageway sections of the A417 at Brockworth ...

14/09/2026

A417 Missing Link – Permanent Traffic Switch
Friday 18 September at 6am

The permanent route for northbound and southbound traffic travelling between Gloucester, Cirencester, Cheltenham and Oxford.

Northbound journeys from Cirencester to continue directly towards Gloucester without exiting at Shab Hill junction.

Traffic from Gloucester will continue up the hill and straight ahead towards Cirencester on the new A417, following the removal of Air Balloon roundabout.

The new B4070 leading to Birdlip and the northbound slip road at Cowley junction will open later this year. Access to Birdlip will remain via the existing route through Cowley junction.

Travel routes for Cheltenham and Oxford will be subject to a significant change for traffic travelling to Gloucester, from Cheltenham via Leckhampton Hill or from Oxford via Seven Springs and the A436.

There will be no direct route from Cheltenham and Oxford to Gloucester.

Traffic will use the new A436 to reach Shab Hill junction, where it can either continue ahead towards Cirencester or use the underpass to access the northbound slip road towards Gloucester.

There may be some delays when the new layout first opens, journey times are expected to improve on the A417 during this traffic switch.

Single-lane traffic management will remain in place on the A417 until additional capacity is available.

This will be a significant change for road users.

To help make things clearer, please visit the A417 project webpage, which includes easy-to-follow diagrams and guidance on how to use the new road layout.

Works and traffic switch date can change due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances.

A landscape-led highways scheme that will deliver a safe and resilient free-flowing road while conserving and enhancing the special character of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Our scheme will improve the connection between two dual carriageway sections of the A417 at Brockworth ...

09/09/2026

Cotswold District Council has up to £10k to support community projects - have you got an idea?

The deadline to apply is 30th September. You need to be pitched, verified and launched by this date.

50% of projects launch their campaigns at least a week before the deadline, putting them in the best possible position ahead of assessment.

If you're not sure whether your idea is a good fit, check your eligibility here: About Crowdfund Cotswold

Need guidance? Start with these essentials:
1. Create your project - step by step article
2. Pitch to a fund - guide
3. Get verified - guide

Email [email protected]
Cotswold District Council on [email protected]

https://www.spacehive.com/programme/crowdfundcotswold/about

06/09/2026

Two cannabis farm fly tips, one near High Cross, Elkstone (short cut to Brimpsfield) and the other near Duntisbourne Abbots. Waste black bags of spent compost. Happened Thurday night. 😡

29/08/2026

Horrible large tipper truck size fly tip near Chapmans Cross, Sapperton. Construction waste offender broke padlock on gate dumped on a public footpath. CDCs fantastic ERS Officer is sorting, it will be cleared up next week. 😡

28/08/2026

Local Plan exhibition TODAY

📍Cirencester Baptist Church
📅Friday 28 August
⏰1–7:30pm

No need to book in.
Speak with our planners, ask questions, and share your thoughts on the Local Plan.

Further exhibitions next month in Moreton (15 September) and Chipping Campden (22 September).

Have your say as part of the Local Plan consultation.

The emerging new Local Plan.

09/08/2026

A417 Missing Link - Overnight road closures 18th & 24th Aug

The A417 will be closed in both directions between the A46 Brockworth junction and Air Balloon roundabout

9pm on Tuesday 18 August to 6am Friday 21 August

The closure is required to carry out works on the Grove Farm underpass.

The new A436 and A417 will be closed in both directions between the Air Balloon and Ullenwood roundabout and A429 Burford Road overnight:

9pm on Monday 24 August to 6am Friday 28 August

These closures are necessary to allow the installation of signage, fencing and communications infrastructure.

Please follow our Air Balloon roundabout to A429 Burford Road diversion route.

Road closure dates may change at short notice. Please make sure you are signed up to our email distribution list and regularly check the A417 webpage for updates.

A landscape-led highways scheme that will deliver a safe and resilient free-flowing road while conserving and enhancing the special character of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Our scheme will improve the connection between two dual carriageway sections of the A417 at Brockworth ...