West Oxfordshire District Council raises concerns about Woodstock housing proposal

Councillor Hugo Ashton, Executive Member for Planning, said: “We would like to thank Cherwell District Council for engaging with us on their proposals for their Local Plan and overall we think it is a sound plan.  

“While we recognise the need for new homes, but they must be built in the right places and we do have significant concerns about the proposal for homes to be built on the edge of Woodstock.  

“A Planning Inspector has previously ruled that this site is unsuitable, and we share that view. Any new development must respect the character of Woodstock, protect the setting of the Blenheim Palace World Heritage Site and ensure local services and infrastructure can cope.” 

Cherwell District Council is currently developing its Local Plan, which will set out how the district should grow over the coming years. As part of this process, councils and residents can give feedback before the plan is finalised. West Oxfordshire District Council will be formally responding, urging Cherwell to reconsider the inclusion of the Woodstock site. 

The Council will be raising concerns about the impact on local roads, services, and potentially harmful impact on the setting of Blenheim Palace. Councillors believe that placing new housing in this location could create significant challenges for the town and surrounding area. 

Councillor Ashton added: “We are committed to working with our neighbouring councils to plan for sustainable growth. However, we do not believe this proposal is in the best interests of either West Oxfordshire or Cherwell residents. We will continue to work closely with our partners in Cherwell, collaborating to build a bright future for both our districts.” 

The Council will continue to monitor the development of Cherwell’s Local Plan and keep residents informed of any updates. 

ENDS