Planning - South Oxfordshire Local Development Framework
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South Oxfordshire District Council (SODC) is currently working to prepare the South Oxfordshire Local Development Framework (LDF). Local development frameworks (LDFs) will form the new planning policy for the district to 2026. LDFs replace the old system of district local plans and county structure plans.
South Oxfordshire District Council is preparing a core strategy for South Oxfordshire as part of its work on the Local Development Framework to 2026.
The main purpose of the core strategy is to identify issues and directions of growth for new development up to the year 2026. The council will make all its major decisions – for example, broad locations of major new housing or employment developments, through the process of preparing this strategy.
Earlier Stages of the Core Strategy
The next stage will be independent examination of the submission Core Strategy in the summer of 2011.
A final public consultation on the draft Core Strategy was held by SODC, where people could comment on the soundness of the document. SODC then analysed the responses received and submitted these along with the Core Strategy document to the Secretary of State in late March 2011.
On 18 November 2010 SODC approved their draft Core Strategy for submission to the Secretary of State. As Didcot is designated as a growth point, a significant amount of development will occur there. The plan sets out some limited development in Henley, Thame and Wallingford to help revitalise and reinforce their roles as market towns.
The draft Core Strategy also proposes the development of the Oxford Green Belt at Wheately and Berinsfield, which CPRE Thame District and CPRE Wallingford District have in the past objected to.
The Council started preparing the Core Strategy in 2007, and has undertaken several rounds of public consultation to help develop the ideas in it.
There are 3 CPRE Districts in South Oxfordshire - Henley & Mapledurham, Thame, and Wallingford. Each District responded to the Core Strategy Preferred Options Consultation which closed in May 2009.
See: Preferred Options Consultation (external website)
See: CPRE Wallingford District Response (PDF)
See: CPRE Thame District Response (PDF)
See: CPRE Henley and Mapledurham District Response (PDF)
Timetable
The Secretary of State has now appointed an independent planning inspector to scrutinise the Core Strategy. The hearings began in July 2011 to examine evidence from supporters, objectors and the council. These will resume in November 2011. The inspector will then produce a report. If the inspector decides the Core Strategy is sound then the Council can go on to adopt it sometime in 2012.
Find Out More
Below are a list of links to further information regarding this campaign: