Steps are being taken to create a more comprehensive approach to development in north Oxfordshire, ensuring that local voices are heard and prioritised as communities grow.
Published: Tuesday, 5th November 2024
At a meeting on Monday, 4 November, Cherwell District Council’s executive gave the go-ahead for three new advisory bodies called Area Oversight Groups (AOGs). It follows the successful model developed as part of the Bicester Garden Town programme, and there will be AOGs for Banbury, Bicester, and one covering the four parishes in the southernmost part of the district: Gosford and Water Eaton; Kidlington, Yarnton, and Begbroke.
Councillor Lesley McLean, Deputy Leader of Cherwell District Council and Portfolio Holder for Finance, Property and Regeneration, said: “Ensuring that local infrastructure keeps up with new development is vital to our communities. Our current planning system cannot address issues outside the development sites, and we have brought these new oversight groups forward to take a more holistic and connected view of the whole area. They will identify where infrastructure or regeneration are needed and work with residents, local councillors, community groups and partners to assist with delivery for the entire area.
“Pressing for timely and appropriate infrastructure and regeneration is a very high priority for this administration. Area Oversight Groups will help us make the most of housing growth already committed in our towns and villages and drive forward our ambitions for regeneration.
“The Bicester Garden Town programme has shown us the benefits that can be had from a joined up and inclusive approach, and we have learnt lessons and further developed this to create these Groups, which will be rolled out in Banbury, Bicester and the four parishes which make up the wider Kidlington area.
“The Bicester and Banbury programmes will help us make the most of new housing and realise our aspirations for town centre regeneration and healthy place shaping.
“And in Kidlington, Gosford and Water Eaton, Yarnton and Begbroke, we are determined to realise maximum benefits for our residents as, in the coming years, we help provide for Oxford’s unmet housing need.
“The Groups have great potential to provide a much-needed coordinated approach to developments and to empower our communities, so I welcome this decision to work differently as a council. This is a substantial step forward for Cherwell.”
The Area Oversight Groups will not be decision-making bodies and will be constituted separately from the council’s statutory planning function.
The Groups will meet regularly and include chairs of parish and town councils, district councillors, business leaders, community groups, Oxfordshire County Council and government agencies such as Network Rail and the Environment Agency.