Residents encouraged to share views on infrastructure needs as part of consultation on future growth

The consultation forms the next step in preparing the new Local Plan and asks residents to look not only at the suitability of different areas for growth, but also at the kinds of services and facilities that are essential to creating well-planned, well-supported places, including roads, utilities, transport options, schools, GP services, green spaces. 

As part of this, residents are also encouraged to review the Council’s baseline Infrastructure Delivery Plan and highlight any issues they feel have been overlooked or need particular emphasis, so that priorities can be refined before the next stage of the Plan.  

Cllr Hugo Ashton, Executive Member for Planning, said: 

“This isn’t just about homes – it’s about creating better places. We’ve listened throughout the earlier stages of the Local Plan and we know how important it is to residents that growth is planned carefully, with the right support in place. We’ve learned from past challenges where development has often come forward without the services needed around it. That is why we are putting infrastructure at the forefront of this next stage, alongside homes and nature recovery.” 

“Homes and infrastructure have to be planned together if we want to avoid the issues residents have experienced in the past. Within our powers as a district council, we have strengthened the way we manage this.  We currently apply planning conditions so that key services and facilities (particularly water supply and sewage treatment) are delivered before new homes can be occupied.

"We have also improved the way we manage developer contributions - including from Section 106 agreements and, from January, the new Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) - to make sure funding is used promptly and transparently to meet local needs. When our new Local Plan is adopted, developers will have to provide detailed infrastructure delivery plans for their sites, so we have more say when key facilities and services are delivered.” 

Infrastructure has been one of the strongest themes raised in earlier rounds of consultation, and the Council reaffirms that local insights are essential. Residents’ comments on the pressures they experience day to day - whether linked to transport, schools, healthcare, drainage or utilities - will help ensure that any future development is properly supported and planned. 

Residents can explore the potential site options, view supporting information and submit comments at https://yourvoice.westoxon.gov.uk/en-GB/folders/preferred-spatial-options-nov2025. A series of drop-in events is also taking place across the district to give local people the opportunity to speak to officers in person. The list of remaining events are as follows: