Residents will soon be invited to have their say on a draft vision for the future of development in Cherwell district.
Published: Tuesday, 5th September 2023
At a meeting of Cherwell District Council’s executive on 4 September, councillors approved a consultation on a draft of the Local Plan Review 2040. The consultation will be for six weeks, commencing in September, and the feedback received will help the council progress further work on the Plan.
A Local Plan provides planning policy in the interests of achieving sustainable development. It guides the decisions the council makes when developers apply for planning permission.
The draft Plan sets objectives and a strategy for where new homes, infrastructure and employment land will be brought forward in the years up to 2040. It suggests new policies to secure affordable housing, for minimising carbon emissions from development, and for the protection and enhancement of the district’s environment and built heritage.
Councillor Dan Sames, Portfolio Holder for Planning and Development, said: “We want new planning policies that put the council in a stronger position to seek higher environmental standards from new development. The amount of additional housing required is very modest compared to our 2015 Plan but we still need to ensure developers are providing affordable homes for those who cannot access the housing market.
“We need new policies to support our town centres, which ensure that we do our utmost for positive climate action and which help make our towns and villages more attractive places to live and work. We hope that people will engage with this consultation to help us develop the Plan further.
“This is not a final plan. We are still gathering evidence and considering our options, so it is an excellent time for people to let us know if the Plan meets the district’s needs, and to share their views on how we could improve it.”
During the course of the consultation, people will be able to attend exhibitions to see details of what draft policies are proposed in their part of the district and to discuss the planning issues with officers.
Dates for the consultation, for the exhibitions that will support it, and details of how to participate will be announced soon.