Residents in West Oxfordshire are being given the chance to have their say on a key planning document which will affect the development of the district over the next 15 years.
Proposed changes to the draft Local Plan are now the subject of a six-week public consultation which starts today. <>
10 November 2016
Under the revised proposals which were approved by councillors on 26 October, a total of 15,950 homes are set to be built by 2031, of which 2,750 have been allocated as the District’s contribution to Oxford’s unmet housing need.
Key sites include 2,200 homes at the proposed Garden Village to the north of Eynsham along with an urban extension to the west of Eynsham which will add a further 1,000 new homes.
Other major sites will include increasing the number of homes in North Witney from 1,000 to 1,400; new allocations in Woodstock adding 670 properties; increasing the development area at Tank Farm, Chipping Norton from 600 to 1,400 homes and building a further 570 homes at three sites in Carterton in addition to over 1,000 homes which are already committed in and around the town.
Cllr Jeff Haine, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Economy, said: “This draft Local Plan is highly significant as it will play a key role in the future development of West Oxfordshire.
“As a result, we welcome any views submitted by residents and businesses as they will help influence the final version.”
The proposed changes to the draft Local Plan have been made following concerns raised by the Planning Inspector in January that the earlier draft was not consistent with Oxfordshire’s Strategic Housing Market Assessment and that it did not take into account the housing need identified for Oxford.
Public exhibitions are being held at:
- Witney Corn Exchange on 17 November from 2.30-8pm
- Chipping Norton Town Hall, 23 November, 2.30- 8pm
- Carterton Town Hall, 29 November, 2.30-8pm
- St Leonard’s Church Hall, Eynsham, 12 December, 2.30-8pm and
- Woodstock Community Centre, 14 December, 2.30-8pm
Once the consultation ends on 23 December the proposed changes will be re-submitted to the Inspector together with all comments received and supporting background information. It is expected further examination hearings will then take place in spring 2017.
Anyone wishing to take part in the consultation can obtain a form online at www.westoxon.gov.uk/localplan2031 or by calling the Planning Policy Team on 01993 861667.
Further information:
Communications: t: 01993 861615, m: 07771965360, e: communications@westoxon.gov.uk
Andrew Smith
Communications Officer (Working days Wed, Thurs, Fri)
West Oxfordshire District Council, Council Offices, Woodgreen, Witney OX28 1NB
t: 01993 861616 / 01993 861000