Your Local Plan
What is a Local Plan?
In England, decisions about land use and development are guided by Local Plans. These plans set out what can be built and where. When someone applies for planning permission, the Local Plan is the main reference point — unless there are very strong reasons to decide differently.
There are four key stages to the development of a Local Plan:
1) Evidence Gathering and Early Consultation (Regulation 18)
The council collects data and evidence on key issues such as housing, jobs, shops, the environment and landscape. Reports and studies are prepared on matters such as housing, employment, retail, environment and landscape etc. to support draft policies.
At this stage, the public is asked for their views:
- What are the needs of the area?
- Which sites should be developed?
- Which places should be protected?
Usually, there are two consultations: one about the main “Issues”, and one about “Specific Sites”. A Sustainability Appraisal must also be carried out to test whether the plan is environmentally and socially sound.
2) Pre-Submission Publication Stage (Regulation 19)
The council publishes its draft Local Plan, shaped by earlier consultation and the Sustainability Appraisal.
This draft is open for six weeks of formal public consultation before being submitted to the Government. The local planning authority can make further changes at this stage, and if those changes are significant, it may hold another round of consultation.
3) Submission of Document and Independent Examination (Regulation 22)
The final draft is sent to the Government. An independent Inspector holds an Examination to test whether the plan is “sound” and meets legal requirements.
The Examination hears evidence from anybody who wishes to make a submission on any of the key issues or questions highlighted by the Inspector. CPRE Oxfordshire often attends these hearings.
The Inspector considers all of the evidence and representations made at each stage of the Local Plan consultation process. The Inspector can recommend adoption where he/she considers that the document satisfies legal requirements and can be considered ‘sound’.
4) Inspector’s Report and Adoption (Regulation 24)
Local plans and spatial development strategies are examined to assess whether they have been prepared in accordance with legal and procedural requirements, and whether they are sound.
If the plan is judged to meet all legal and planning requirements, the council can then formally adopt it.
A busy year ahead for Oxfordshire Local Plans
CPRE Oxfordshire plays an active role in Local Plan consultations, which are a crucial opportunity to shape planning policy and protect the countryside for years to come. This is an especially challenging time, with significantly increased housing targets and the emergence of the poorly defined concept of “grey belt” land. It is therefore more important than ever that we continue to scrutinise plans and make our voice heard.
While Local Plan timetables are always subject to change, we currently expect the following key milestones across Oxfordshire in 2026.
Oxford City Local Plan
We expect Oxford City Council’s Cabinet meeting on 21 January 2026 to approve the draft Local Plan for the final Regulation 19 stage of consultation. This consultation is likely to launch shortly, and we will publicise it via our social media channels.
We are disappointed that this Plan has been fast-tracked, particularly given that its initial submission was rejected by the Planning Inspector in autumn 2024 for failing the Duty to Cooperate. As a result, there has been no opportunity to comment on proposed development sites, and at Regulation 19 we are restricted to commenting only on matters of legal compliance and soundness. We will be raising these concerns again, alongside a detailed review of the proposed site allocations.
Indicative next stages for the Oxford City Local Plan are:
- July 2026 – Plan submission
- September / October 2026 – Inspector’s hearings
- January 2027 – Inspector’s report
- May 2027 – Plan adoption
Cherwell Local Plan
The Cherwell Local Plan has now been submitted, with Inspector’s hearings starting on 17 February 2026. These initial hearings will focus primarily on whether the Plan can proceed under “transitional arrangements”. This means the Inspector will assess whether the housing numbers and evidence base, while falling short of the updated targets in the December 2024 NPPF, are within an acceptable margin.
In general, CPRE Oxfordshire supports much of the Cherwell Local Plan, particularly as it proposes no new Green Belt development. However, we have raised concerns in specific areas, including the designation of additional Local Green Spaces and aspects of employment land allocation. Should the Plan proceed beyond the initial hearings, we expect to represent these views in more detail.
Dates for further hearings have not yet been confirmed, but we anticipate these will take place no later than late spring 2026.
West Oxfordshire Local Plan
In December 2025, CPRE Oxfordshire responded to West Oxfordshire’s Regulation 18 Spatial Strategy consultation. We provided detailed feedback on proposed sites, alongside policy recommendations aimed at strengthening protections for green spaces and open countryside against speculative development.
With substantially increased housing targets now included in the Plan, it is critical that new homes are delivered at appropriate densities and in the right locations, minimising harm to the countryside.
Indicative next stages for the West Oxfordshire Local Plan are:
- Spring 2026 – Regulation 19 consultation
- Late 2026 – Plan submission
South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse Joint Local Plan
The Joint Local Plan was initially rejected by the Planning Inspector in June 2025 for failing the Duty to Cooperate with neighbouring authorities, particularly in relation to Oxford City’s unmet housing need. However, following a policy change in December 2025, the Duty to Cooperate has been removed as a legal requirement for Local Plans.
As a result, the South and Vale Joint Local Plan is now being revisited, with a meeting scheduled for 12 February 2026 to reassess next steps. CPRE Oxfordshire is broadly supportive of the progression of this Plan, which proposes no new Green Belt development and places a strong emphasis on addressing climate change.
We will continue to monitor developments closely and keep supporters informed about opportunities to engage with Local Plan consultations across Oxfordshire.