Oxfordshire Unitary Authorities: 3 Proposals

The government has asked for proposals nationally for unitary authorities across the country. In Oxfordshire there will be 3 proposals for the Government to review and make a final decision on.

The options are:

• A single county unitary council for Oxfordshire. 

This is Oxfordshire County Council’s preferred option and details can be found on their website here.

• Two unitary councils which would consist of:
  • Oxford and Shires Council (previously referenced as North Oxfordshire Council) created from the existing district councils of Cherwell, Oxford City and West Oxfordshire.
  • Ridgeway Council created from the existing district councils of South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse and the unitary council of West Berkshire.

This is South Oxfordshire, Vale of White Horse, Cherwell, West Oxfordshire and West Berkshire districts’ preferred option and details can be found on the website here.

• Three unitary authorities – with expanded boundaries forming a city authority, as well as northern and southern unitaries, also including West Berkshire.

This is Oxford City’s preferred option and details can be found on the website here

At CPRE Oxfordshire we pride ourselves on promoting the protection and enhancement of the countryside in an apolitical manner and we will work proactively and positively with the relevant councils and unitary authorities to do this.

However, we are strongly opposed to the option of 3 unitary authorities and a “Greater Oxford City”. We feel this option brings the entire Green Belt bordering the City under the jurisdiction of the City council, which will lead to unwanted housing development on our treasured Green Belt. We support the need for additional housing in the county, but this should be suitable, affordable housing of high density, on available brownfield sites currently standing empty. We feel options 1 or 2 will be better placed to provide an overview approach in our county and a stronger strategy to deliver new homes whilst still protecting the countryside.

Find out more and get involved

Learn more about all three proposals, respond to surveys on each one, and find out the details of drop-in events that are taking place across Oxfordshire and beyond on the Oxford City Council website

What’s next?

Following the public engagement exercises, final proposals will be drawn up and submitted to the Government in November with a final decision on local government reorganisation made by the Government in 2026.

New councils are expected to be created in 2028.