Proposed Planning Reforms Raise Serious Concerns for Oxfordshire’s Countryside

A revised version of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was issued for consultation on 16th December and we are just starting to review this document. The consultation, which runs until 10 March 2026, can be found here.

CPRE Head Office have issued a summary of the key changes at a national level which can be found here.

At a county level, early indications suggest four major areas where CPRE Oxfordshire may have concerns, with far-reaching implications for our countryside, communities and democratic planning processes.

Development around rail stations

One of the most concerning proposals is a default “yes” position for development around rail stations. While improved public transport access is important, CPRE Oxfordshire is deeply concerned that a blanket approach fails to recognise local context. Several Green Belt sites in Oxfordshire fall within these areas, and we do not believe a one-size-fits-all policy is appropriate where landscapes, settlement character, environmental constraints and wider infrastructure needs vary so widely.

Central government intervention to support growth

Another proposed change would require local authorities to notify the Secretary of State for Housing if they refuse planning applications of more than 150 homes, with powers for central government to intervene and potentially override local decisions. CPRE Oxfordshire believes this risks undermining local democracy and weakening the influence of locally elected councillors and the community engagement we have worked hard to build.

Streamlining statutory consultees

The proposals also indicate a reduction in the number of statutory consultees, including the removal of Sport England, the Gardens Trust and the Theatres Trust. In addition, fewer applications may require input from bodies such as National Highways and Active Travel England. CPRE Oxfordshire is concerned that this would weaken an already pressured planning system and reduce the breadth of expert input needed for balanced, inclusive decision-making.

A wider ‘acceleration plan’

Finally, the revised NPPF is expected to form part of a wider plan to accelerate development. While details remain unclear, one measure appears to be the abolition of the current legal “Duty to Cooperate” between neighbouring local authorities. In Oxfordshire, this duty has been central to how Cherwell, West Oxfordshire, South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse work with Oxford City Council to address the city’s unmet housing need — housing that cannot be accommodated within the city’s boundaries. The potential impact of removing this requirement is uncertain, and CPRE Oxfordshire is awaiting further detail in the draft framework.

Next steps

CPRE Oxfordshire will be working closely with colleagues at both local and national level to scrutinise the revised NPPF and prepare a robust response to the consultation when it is published. We will continue to stand up for a planning system that is democratic, evidence-based and capable of protecting Oxfordshire’s countryside for current and future generations.