Issue - meetings

Report of Head of Strategic Planning and the Economy

Purpose of report

To seek approval of an issues paper on the Partial Review of Local Plan Part 1 for formal consultation.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

 1.1        To approve the issues paper (Appendix 1) for formal public consultation.

1.2       To authorise the Head of Strategic Planning and the Economy to make any necessary minor and presentational changes to the issues paper before formal consultation commences.

1.3       To request officers to engage with Oxford City Council to agree appropriate arrangements for seeking the views of Oxford City stakeholders prior to the commencement of formal consultation.

Resolved

(1)          That the Cherwell Local Plan 2011 – 2031 (Part 1): Partial Review – Oxford’s Unmet Hosing Need issues paper be approved for formal public consultation.

(2)          That the Head of Strategic Planning and the Economy be authorised to make any necessary minor and presentational changes to the issues paper before formal consultation commences.

(3)          That officers be requested to engage with Oxford City Council to agree appropriate arrangements for seeking the views of Oxford City stakeholders prior to the commencement of formal consultation.

The Head of Strategic Planning and the Economy submitted a report to seek approval of an issues paper on the Partial Review of Local Plan Part 1 for formal consultation.

Resolved

(1)          That the Cherwell Local Plan 2011 – 2031 (Part 1): Partial Review – Oxford’s Unmet Hosing Need issues paper be approved for formal public consultation.

(2)          That the Head of Strategic Planning and the Economy be authorised to make any necessary minor and presentational changes to the issues paper before formal consultation commences.

(3)          That officers be requested to engage with Oxford City Council to agree appropriate arrangements for seeking the views of Oxford City stakeholders prior to the commencement of formal consultation.

Reasons

An issues paper for the Partial Review of Local Plan Part 1 has been prepared for the purpose of public consultation. Through the Oxfordshire Growth Board, the Oxfordshire Councils have generally agreed that although the precise ability of Oxford to accommodate its own need has yet to be concluded there is general agreement that there is limited capacity within the city to fully accommodate its own need and that therefore there will be a significant potential shortfall which will need to be provided in neighbouring districts. A total countywide working figure of 15,000 homes has been identified.

Progress on the Partial Review needs to be made to enable the Council to meet its commitment, in paragraph B.95 of the adopted Local Plan, to complete a review within two years of adoption. Members are recommended to approve the issues paper in the interest of seeking detailed public, partner and stakeholder views on the matters that will need to be considered and responded to in preparing the Partial Review.

Alternative options

Option 1: To delay the issues paper and consultation until options have also been produced

A consultation now will provide officers the opportunity to consider issues comprehensively before identifying reasonable options. Completion of the countywide work in Summer 2016 is needed to help inform options. A delay would make it very difficult to meet the two year review programme that the Council has committed to within paragraph B.95 of the adopted Cherwell Local Plan 2011-2031 (Part 1) thereby inviting legal risks. Further work on Sustainability Appraisal would also be required to identify potential options.

Option 2: To reconsider the content of the issues paper

The issues paper has been produced having regard to national policy and guidance, on-going countywide work and Local Plan Part 1. It is considered by officers to be an appropriate consultation document.