Issue - meetings

West Oxfordshire Local Plan 2041

Purpose:

To consider the Local Plan 2041 Preferred Policy Options Consultation Paper which is proposed to be published for consultation in accordance with Regulation 18 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012.

Recommendation(s):

That the Executive resolves to:

1. Note the content of the report;

2. Agree that the Local Plan Preferred Policy Options paper attached at Annex A be published for the purposes of public consultation in accordance with Regulation 18 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012;

3. Authorise the Planning Policy Manager to make any necessary minor amendments to the preferred options paper in consultation with the Executive Member for Planning and Head of Planning, prior to consultation taking place.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Hugo Ashton, Executive Member for Planning, introduced the item the purpose of which was to consider the Local Plan 2041 Preferred Policy Options Consultation Paper which was proposed to be published for consultation in accordance with Regulation 18 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 by the end of June and into July. Councillor Ashton noted that input was being sought from a broad section of the community including residents, developers and Members. The initial consultation would be supplemented by a further consultation on preferred sights for development. The draft Local Plan was expected to follow in Autumn.

Councillor Ashton noted that there had already been constructive comments received during the Overview and Scrutiny meeting on 4 June. In addition, further comments had been received from Members and Officers. Two tables summarising the comments received was made available at the meeting. Table one contained comments from the Overview and Scrutiny meeting. Table two contained comments from Officers and Members. It was intended that the Executive would agree that the suggestions provided in the tables would be included in the draft Consultation Paper.

Councillor Ashton drew attention to two material points from the tables:

Page 30 – With regard to windfall development, tier three villages would be given the same status as towns and villages in Cotswolds National Landscape Area. Evidence of specific local housing need would be required, such as needs identified through a neighbourhood plan or affordable housing needs specific to a settlement.
Page 31 - The suggestion that an annexe would be included summarising alternative policy options that had been considered would not be included in the consultation.

In discussion of the item the following points were made:

· The proposed Local Plan was intended to be more sustainable and focused on the long-term to steer away from speculative development which gave little regard to the character of areas.

· Officers were thanked for their work with reference made to the increased level of national policy that had been considered in producing the document.

· The impact of the policies was discussed with reference to housing in Charlbury. Officers noted that the draft policies had sought to balance the key issues for the settlement. Charlbury played a role as a rural service centre however it also had specific environmental and character considerations to balance against this role.

· Finally, it was noted that a comprehensive engagement plan was in place for the consultation process. The engagement plan included a mix of social media and in person events. This would be launched at the end of the month.

Councillor Hugo Ashton proposed accepting recommendations 1 and 2 of the report. To allow for the inclusion of the suggestions received, subject to the material changes noted above, Councillor Ashton then proposed that recommendation 3 be amended to read as follows:

“Authorise the Planning Policy Manager, in consultation with the Executive Member for Planning and the Head of Planning, to make amendments to the preferred options paper based on the ... view the full minutes text for item 343

Issue - meetings

West Oxfordshire Local Plan 2041

Meeting: 11/06/2025 - Executive (Item 343)

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