Cherwell District Council is disappointed that it has been designated by government for the quality of decision-making on major planning applications.
Published: Monday, 15th June 2026
The designation is based on performance data from planning appeals for major developments for the period April 2023 to March 2025. Just over 11% of decisions on major planning applications were overturned at appeal for that period, which is just above the government’s threshold of 10%.
Since the 2023 to 2025 monitoring period, the council has been working with the Planning Advisory Service to improve performance, increase capacity, and strengthen governance, and has made significant improvements to the quality of decision-making for major developments. These improvements are already having a positive impact with the latest data indicating that the council’s performance will be under the 10% threshold at the end of the current monitoring period, hence the council’s frustration at the designation decision.
This decision means that applicants for major developments can now choose whether to submit their applications to the council or to the Planning Inspectorate for determination.
The council deals with a significant number of major developments, which are often contentious, and decisions can be finely balanced. When applications go to appeal, the final decision is made by the Planning Inspectorate, sometimes resulting in different outcomes.
The council is engaging with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and the Planning Advisory Service to get the designation removed as soon as possible.
Councillor Lesley McLean, Leader of Cherwell District Council, said: "This decision is disappointing and, frankly, frustrating. The government appears more interested in judging Cherwell’s past performance than recognising the progress being made today.
“Cherwell is a high-growth district that has a strong track record of delivering new homes, supporting investment and creating opportunities for local people. That is why it is so frustrating to see progress being set aside in favour of historic performance figures for 2023 to 2025.
“Residents expect major decisions affecting their communities to be shaped by local knowledge and local accountability. This designation creates a route for those decisions to be made by the Planning Inspectorate, outside the local democratic process. Elected councillors, supported by knowledgeable and professional officers, are the right people to guide new development in north Oxfordshire.
“District councils have been expected to operate effectively despite a constantly changing and uncertain policy landscape, and this also appears to have been overlooked in reaching this decision.
“Our focus remains unchanged. We will continue serving and listening to our communities, continue improving our planning service, and continue delivering the homes, jobs and opportunities that make Cherwell one of the country’s most successful growth districts.”
Building on the significant improvements already delivered, Cherwell's planning service will continue to support sustainable growth, provide high-quality planning advice and decision-making support to the Planning Committee, and work with communities, businesses and investors to help shape a successful future for the district.