Consultation on Cherwell Local Plan (Part 1) – have your say
15th November 2016
Cherwell District Council are undertaking a Partial Review on their Local Plan (Part 1), specifically to help meet Oxford’s unmet housing need. An Options Paper has been published for consultation.
The consultation on the Partial Review of the Cherwell Local Plan (Part 1): Oxford’s Unmet Housing Need – Options Paper is now open until Monday 9 January 2017.
The Options Paper and related documents, including an Interim Sustainability Appraisal Report and representation form, are available to view on line at:
www.cherwell.gov.uk/planningpolicyconsultation
You can find out more and speak to Cherwell officers at a series of exhibitions.
Dates and Venues:
Castle Quay Shopping Centre, Banbury, OX16 5UN – Saturday 26 November 2016, 10am – 6pm
Franklins House, Wesley Lane, Bicester, OX26 6JU – Saturday 3 December 2016, 10am – 6pm
The Pavillion, Cutteslowe Park, Oxford, OX2 8ES – Saturday 10 December 2016, 10am – 6pm
Exeter Hall, Exeter Close, Kidlington, OX5 1AB – Monday 19 December 2016, 2pm – 9pm
CPRE’s reaction
CPRE has serious concerns about the proposals outlined within the Cherwell Local Plan Part 1 Review and the potential sites for allocating Oxford’s ‘unmet need’.
Although there is a long list of sites included, it is clear that Kidlington and the surrounding area is very much the primary target.
While it is of course important that we bring forward new and affordable housing, this must be the right housing in the right place.
The proposed numbers for Cherwell have more than doubled over the last two years and we continue to question these figures as exaggerated and unrealistic.
We will oppose any allocations within the Oxford Green Belt as these would undermine its permanence and openness. We are particularly concerned about the potential closing of the ‘Kidlington Gap’.
We do not accept that exceptional circumstances exist to dictate that the houses proposed must be located close to Oxford. The figures are not based on existing need but on the need that would be generated by notional jobs that may or may not be created. Given its virtually full employment levels, there is of course no logical reason why Oxford City should be continuing to zone land for employment creation, whilst expecting the Districts to meet its housing need. These new jobs do not need to be created in Oxford, or even Oxfordshire, but could be supported in other parts of England where employment need is acute.
CPRE will post its formal response on this website in due course.
See CPRE’s response to Cherwell District Council’s consultation on a draft Masterplan for Kidlington.
Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Draft Charging Schedule
A CIL Draft Charging Schedule is also being published for consultation. CIL is a planning charge introduced as a mechanism for local authorities to help deliver infrastructure to support the development of their area. The Draft Charging Schedule sets out the proposed CIL rates and the geographical areas for the three residential rates.
Draft Developer Contributions Supplementary Planning Document (SPD)
A new Draft Developer Contributions SPD is also being published for consultation. The purpose of the SPD is to set out the Council’s approach to seeking Section 106 planning obligations and their operation alongside the emerging Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).
Have your say
Comments on the Partial Review Options Paper, the Interim Sustainability Appraisal Report, CIL Draft Charging Schedule or Draft Developer Contributions SPD should be sent to:
By email to PlanningPolicyConsultation@cherwell-dc.gov.uk
Or by post to:
Planning Policy Team, Strategic Planning and the Economy
Cherwell District Council, Bodicote House
Bodicote. Banbury, OX15 4AA.
Comments should be received no later than Monday 9 January 2017. Any comments received will be made publicly available.
Find out more:
See: Cherwell consultation poster below.
CPRE Oxfordshire, 15 November