Cherwell Local Plan Review 2042
This new Local Plan marks a significant shift in our expectations from new development in Cherwell. The need for climate action, biodiversity improvement, higher design standards, for protecting the character and quality of our built and natural environments and for delivering social-rented housing are all priorities that have influenced the tone of this Plan. We need to protect our green spaces and our valuable heritage assets. These are all messages that have stood-out in our engagement with local people.
We need to meet our needs for the future but also to learn from the experience of the last 10 years of growth. Our towns and villages have seen significant development and change. If we are to continue meeting our future needs sustainably we must maximise the opportunities for development to benefit our existing residents and the communities and environments in which we live.
Cherwell’s 2015 and 2020 Local Plans have delivered and are continuing to do so. Many of their policies will still bring housing, jobs, facilities, transport improvements and green spaces. The existing ‘pipeline’ of new homes we are expecting has helped us greatly in preparing this new Plan.
We are aware that many people need their own homes and whilst we have had to take difficult decisions on where some further development would be most appropriate, the delivery of committed sites at Banbury, Bicester and Heyford Park has provided a strategy to build upon. We have revisited all the planning issues and needs the district faces and we are providing for development that responds. But the existence of these commitments has meant we have not had to make another ‘step-change’ in the supply of land for development.
So, we are seeking to meet our needs within Cherwell District whilst keeping our commitment to assist Oxford City with theirs. Our policies also reflect the need to seek net zero carbon emissions, to protect our landscape character and settlement gaps, to support renewable and low-carbon energy provision, our eco-systems and natural capital, to help our urban centres, and to make more efficient use of land and protect our villages and rural areas. I recommend this carefully considered, positive and wellbalanced Plan.
Cllr Jean Conway
Portfolio Holder for Planning and Development Management