Planning for the Future

The District Council's Cabinet agreed the draft Local Plan on Wednesday 17 October, for the purposes of public consultation. Members of the public will be asked for their feedback during six weeks' of consultation, scheduled to start early November 2012.

The draft Local Plan contains proposals for housing and economic growth, services and facilities such as schools, to support this growth, and environment and transport, until 2029.

The latest proposals replace the Council's previously published draft Core Strategy, which had set out development proposals until 2026.

In-depth investigations have been carried out into possible development sites and supporting infrastructure, and all feedback gained from previous proposals has been taken into consideration to help shape the latest draft proposals.

Click here to see larger versions of these plans: Carterton Strategy and Carterton Town Centre Map

Copies of the draft Local Plan and supporting background information will be made available online, see Draft Local Plan , at the Carterton Town Hall early in November, at the District Council Offices and the Town Centre Shop in Witney, and in all local libraries. Public exhibitions will be held in Witney and Carterton/Brize Norton and further details about these will be made available on the Council's website as soon as possible.

The draft plan sets out proposals for 5,500 new homes and employment sites in West Oxfordshire over the next 17 years. In addition, it looks in detail at 'infrastructure' - things like roads and transport, schools and leisure facilities - to accommodate this growth and enhance local areas.

In the main areas earmarked for growth - Witney, Carterton and, to a lesser extent, Chipping Norton - specific schemes, including road improvements, will be secured as part of the development.

In Carterton, there are proposals for 1,850 new homes, including 400 within the town centre on land previously used for military housing (REEMA North and Central), 700 to the east of the town and the remainder through other smaller sites and those already with planning permission. The east development would include a 'green buffer' to minimise the impact on Brize Norton and provide an opportunity to extend Kilkenny Lane Country Park. The plan aims to improve transport connections, including the Shilton Road link, as well as pedestrian, cycling and public transport facilities, including potential for a cycleway between Carterton and Witney. It also includes a new primary school as part of the east development and contributions towards the second phase of the Carterton Leisure Centre.

After the public consultation period ends, all feedback will be considered and it is hoped a final plan can be agreed by the Council and submitted to the Government next year, and then adopted in 2014.