West Oxfordshire District Council's new Local Plan gears up for next chapter following consultation success
Following a recent public consultation, which received an outstanding community response, the District Council is looking to make swift progress with developing the next stages of the plan for the district's future.
Cllr Charlie Maynard, Executive Member for Planning and Sustainable Development, said, “We are pleased with the level of interest the Local Plan has generated so far. Feedback from residents helps to shape the future in a way that best suits our communities.
“Residents are clear our plans need to improve our public transport and infrastructure, tackle the climate emergency, support local communities, build our economy and support people in leading healthy lifestyles. We now have a strong foundation from which we can start to pull a detailed plan together which will be based on the views and thoughts of people across the district.”
This Local Plan consultation closed in October 2023 having received 2,000 responses from 450 respondents.
Councillor Andy Graham, Leader of the Council added, “The response to the consultation has been really encouraging. The Local Plan is crucial for the whole district, and we are committed to delivering it in partnership with our communities.
“The next stage of the plan will be much more detailed, showing where we think the best places are for development and how we propose to meet the priorities residents have set. We have a range of ideas, although nothing is set in stone, and there will be further opportunities for residents to give feedback.”
“Residents’ input is highly valued, and we are committed to meaningful engagement that will help to shape a sustainable plan that we can all be proud of.”
In addition to the written feedback received, further insights were provided through a number of face-to-face events, with hundreds of people attending a variety of workshops and public exhibitions to speak to Officers and Councillors to make their views known.
The Council is now beginning work on a more detailed plan which residents will be consulted on later this year.
Contact Information
West Oxfordshire District Council Communications Team
Notes to editors
The Local Plan is a document that sets out how development including housing, business construction and infrastructure (roads, facilities, etc) can best benefit the area the council is responsible for. The Local Plan is the main mechanism through which local decisions are made on key issues such as how much growth to plan for and where it should go.
Local councils have to produce a Local Plan by law. Local Plans must look forward over a minimum period of 15 years and be reviewed at least once every 5 years. Our aim is to produce a Local Plan that ensures development in our area is well thought out and works in the best way for the district. Through the process of creating a Local Plan residents have a number of opportunities to have their say on its development.
The following key dates for drawing up the new Local Plan are expected to apply:
- Initial scoping consultation (Regulation 18): August – October 2022 (COMPLETE)
- Focused consultation on draft plan objectives, the pattern of development and call for ideas, opportunities and sites (Regulation 18): August – October 2023 (COMPLETE)
- Consultation on preferred policy options/approaches (Regulation 18): June/July 2024
- Publication of pre-submission draft Local Plan (Regulation 19): November 2024
- Submission for independent examination: April 2025
- Examination and adoption: 2025