Planning for the Future

West Oxfordshire District Council is moving towards the later stages of developing its Core Strategy which will underpin policies for future development in the area up to 2026.

It extended its main consultation on future development until the end of July to take account of further comments on additional information from potential developers and others, which had become available, particularly in relation to the Carterton area. It also held a public meeting on September 14th where members of the public had the opportunity to address district councillors directly.

The Town Council, with the advice of a professional planning consultant, considered this information and informed the district council of its views. It reiterated its support for an allocation of around 1,000 new dwellings, based on an assessment that this scale of growth will support and sustain local services, facilities and infrastructure, irrespective of district-wide housing targets. It stated that it was essential to plan strategically for longer term growth beyond the current planning period. The council recognised that all the options in Carterton for the additional 1,000 homes had merits and disadvantages, but felt that, subject to no over-riding technical issues and taking account its concerns and aspirations, the western option remained its preferred location.

The District Council will be in a position to approve the final Core Strategy early in 2012 for a statutory 6 week period of consultation prior to submission to the Government /Planning Inspectorate. On this basis a public examination into the plan could be held in summer 2012 with formal adoption to follow in late 2012 or early 2013. For the District Council update, which includes summaries of responses to the various consultations so far, go to www.westoxon.gov.uk/files/download/8597-4570.pdf