This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Decision over public consultation on Local Plan proposals deferred
20/01/2023
Councillors want to allow officers more time to deal with committee feedback they already have
The public consultation on proposals for a new Local Plan won’t start this month. Cherwell District Council’s Executive Committee last night decided to defer a decision on allowing the exercise to begin so council staff had the time to address feedback from the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
Councillors on that committee felt the balance of affordable housing included in the plan was not ambitious enough or adequate. They also noted that it was important that all infrastructure kept pace with development, as well as ensuring there was satisfactory integration between new developments and established communities.
The committee said the importance of farming in the district had been recognised in the draft, but it should be given more prominence. They also felt the allocation of housing in rural areas should be “equitable”.
Councillor Colin Clarke, the Portfolio Holder for Planning, told last night’s meeting nothing had been decided yet. He said: “It’s clear that the proposed plan is the result of a lot of work and engagement already, but it’s important to stress this is not a final plan, but a draught for consultation. We want this to be a meaningful consultation with all our communities and stakeholders and supported by public exhibitions.
“However, the executive also now has the comments of the overview and Scrutiny Committee, which has discussed emerging proposals with officers and then separately considered the draft plan before you this evening… The executive is therefore invited to consider the draft plan and recommendations in the context of these comments.
“I should highlight that no specific changes to the plan have yet been made following those comments, other than those as proposed on the amendment sheet which has been tabled this evening…
“It would be beneficial to provide officers with time to consider these comments and any implications for the draft plan.”
The Council’s Deputy Leader Ian Corkin noted the number of new homes calculated for the district had already changed since Councillors saw a first draft. He said: “Deferment would give time to settle those issues and give further consideration to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s comments.”
Other Councillors agreed, postponing consideration of the draft Local Plan by the Executive Committee until a later date. New consultation dates will be announced in due course.
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam