Issue - meetings

Report of Assistant Director – Planning and Development.

***Please note, due to the number and size of appendices to this report, it has been published as a series of separate supplements***

Purpose of report

To seek approval of an options consultation paper for the Cherwell Local Plan Review.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1          To approve the Options Paper at Appendix 1 for the purpose of public consultation

1.2          To authorise the Assistant Director - Planning and Development to make any necessary minor and/or presentational changes to the options paper prior to the consultation and to determine the format of publication.

Resolved

(1)          That the Options Paper be approved for the purpose of public consultation.

(2)          That the Assistant Director - Planning and Development be authorised to make any necessary minor and/or presentational changes to the options paper prior to the consultation and to determine the format of publication.

The Assistant Director – Planning and Development submitted a report to seek approval of an options consultation paper for the Cherwell Local Plan Review.

At the discretion of the Chairman, Councillor Woodcock, Leader of the Labour Group addressed Executive. In response to Councillor Woodcock’s comments regarding the affordable housing figures, the Lead Member for Planning explained that the covid pandemic had had an impact and the council was reliant on developers to deliver affordable housing. It was an area that would be looked at and all options considered to provide affordable housing and deliver as much as was viably possible. The Assistant Director – Planning and Development confirmed that the figures in the Paper would be reviewed to ensure they were accurate before being published for consultation.

In the course of discussion, Executive highlighted the importance of the consultation engaging with as many stakeholders and residents as possible. The Lead Member for Planning explained that much of the consultation would be virtual with additional contact with parishes as their involvement was critical. He would discuss the feasibility of facilitated virtual events with the Assistant Director – Planning and Development. The Lead Member for Planning confirmed that all responses were detailed and recorded.

On behalf of Executive, the Chairman thanked the Assistant Director – Planning and Development and Planning Policy team for their hard work on Cherwell Local Plan review to date.

Resolved

(1)          That the Options Paper be approved for the purpose of public consultation.

(2)          That the Assistant Director - Planning and Development be authorised to make any necessary minor and/or presentational changes to the options paper prior to the consultation and to determine the format of publication.

Reasons

The Cherwell Local Plan Options Paper has been prepared to help continue dialogue with communities and other stakeholders in the interest of early engagement in the plan preparation process. The paper is the second stage in the preparation of the Local Plan.  The Executive’s approval of the Options Paper is sought to proceed to public consultation. 

Alternative options

Option 1: Not to approve the Options Paper until the Oxfordshire Plan process is further advanced

A delay would affect the overall Local Plan programme and put the objective of adoption in 2023 at significantly higher risk.

Option 2: To reconsider the content of the Options Paper

The Options paper has been produced having regard to national policy and guidance, existing Local Plans, the emerging Oxfordshire Plan 2050 and other plans, programmes and policies.  It is considered by officers to be an appropriate consultation document balancing technical information with discussion.