West Oxfordshire’s new Local Plan to tackle infrastructure challenges and build a brighter future for all
West Oxfordshire District Council is working swiftly to establish a new Local Plan that addresses the district's evolving needs and offers a new approach to infrastructure. Recognising that the current Local Plan, agreed in 2018, no longer aligns with current demands, the Council is taking proactive steps to ensure its strategy for the district’s growth is resilient and forward-thinking.
Councillor Hugo Ashton, Executive Member for Planning, said, “We recognise that our current Local Plan needs to be updated, and we are working to do that as quickly as possible to ensure it delivers the sustainable development and infrastructure that West Oxfordshire needs.
“We are committed to creating a Local Plan that meets the long-term needs of our communities, delivers the necessary infrastructure for sustainable growth, and ensures we protect our natural and historic environment.
“We realise that infrastructure in some parts of the district is not yet where it needs to be to support future growth. However, this is not a rushed process – and with recent changes to government planning policies, we’re committed to getting it right. One of our key priorities is ensuring that new developments come with the necessary infrastructure in place, from transport links and sewage networks to community services and facilities, helping create better-connected and more sustainable communities.”
The updated Local Plan will address key infrastructure challenges, including transport, sewage networks, and community services and facilities, ensuring new developments are supported and that the district is equipped to meet both current and future demands.
The Council has recently published its 2023/24 Infrastructure Funding Statement (IFS), which outlines ongoing efforts to secure and allocate developer contributions for vital infrastructure projects. The report highlights the significant progress made so far, with a clear focus on delivering more infrastructure that will both drive the success of the Local Plan and create lasting benefits for local communities. Whilst some Section 106 funds remain unspent, which is not unusual, these funds are largely earmarked for specific local projects, and the Council is actively working on a new approach to unlock more funding from new developments, ensuring it is swiftly allocated towards projects that will benefit the community most.
The Council is preparing an Infrastructure Spending Strategy to provide further clarity on how unallocated Section 106 funds will be used and focus on how it can make the most out of the funding. The strategy will ensure that Section 106 funds are invested in transformative projects that align with the Local Plan, maximise available funding for infrastructure projects, and speed up the delivery of these projects.
Cllr Ashton adds, “We’re building this plan for you and with you, and we’ve taken the time to listen to the voices of our residents through innovative consultations that have been key to shaping its direction.”
Since 2022, the Council has been one of a few councils leading on improving engagement with the Local Plan through the Government’s PropTech Fund, leading to much higher response rates in the consultations. It is also making use of cutting-edge AI tools to streamline the Local Plan process, making it quicker and more efficient. The work has led to multiple award nominations.
To achieve all of the above and also to reflect changes to the National Planning Policy Framework, the timeline for the Local Plan has been updated as follows:
- Preferred Options Consultation (Regulation 18): May 2025
- Publication of Pre-Submission Draft (Regulation 19): October 2025
- Submission for Examination: March 2026