Issue - meetings

** Due to the size of the documents, to assist access, the appendices are published as a supplement to the main agenda pack **

Report of Assistant Director Growth and Economy

Purpose of report

To seek approval of the Public Realm Strategy Frameworks for Banbury, Bicester and Kidlington by Executive for inclusion within  the evidence base for the Local Plan and as guidance for the Area Oversight Groups.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Frameworks are presented as high level policy documents. The Frameworks’ suggested public realm interventions are therefore aspirational at this stage and do not have funding allocated to them, with the exception of the three projects which are currently being developed for (i) Bicester Market Place; (ii) Bicester Bure Place and (iii) Kidlington High Street.

Recommendations

The Executive resolves:

1.1           To approve the inclusion of the Public Realm Strategy Frameworks for Banbury, Bicester and Kidlington as part of the evidence base for the Local Plan and as guidance for the Area Oversight Groups.

1.2           To agree delegated authority for the Assistant Director for Growth and Economy, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Property and Regeneration, to arrange the final presentation of the Plan and make any necessary minor amendments to it, including any typographic or formatting errors prior to publication.

Resolved

(1)            That the inclusion of the Public Realm Strategy Frameworks for Banbury, Bicester and Kidlington as part of the evidence base for the Local Plan and as guidance for the Area Oversight Groups be approved.

(2)            That delegated authority for the Assistant Director for Growth and Economy, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Property and Regeneration, to arrange the final presentation of the Frameworks and make any necessary minor amendments to it, including any typographic or formatting errors prior to publication, be agreed.

The Assistant Director Growth and Economy submitted a report to seek approval of the Public Realm Strategy Frameworks for Banbury, Bicester and Kidlington by Executive for inclusion within  the evidence base for the Local Plan and as guidance for the Area Oversight Groups.

In introducing the report, the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Property and Regeneration explained that the Frameworks were presented as high level policy documents. The Frameworks’ suggested public realm interventions were therefore aspirational at this stage and didnot have funding allocated to them, with the exception of the three projects which were currently being developed for (i) Bicester Market Place; (ii) Bicester Bure Place and (iii) Kidlington High Street.

Resolved

(1)          That the inclusion of the Public Realm Strategy Frameworks for Banbury, Bicester and Kidlington as part of the evidence base for the Local Plan and as guidance for the Area Oversight Groups be approved.

(2)          That delegated authority for the Assistant Director for Growth and Economy, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Property and Regeneration, to arrange the final presentation of the Frameworks and make any necessary minor amendments to it, including any typographic or formatting errors prior to publication, be agreed.

Reasons

The Public Realm Strategy Frameworks for Banbury, Bicester and Kidlington (urban centres) identify the constraints and opportunities facing Cherwell’s three urban centres and propose a number of key public realm interventions for each urban centre. 

Executive’s approval of the Strategy Frameworks will enable the Frameworks to sit as guidance within the evidence base for the draft Local Plan 2042 and act as guidance for the Area Oversight Groups, with the Frameworks’ suggested interventions for public realm improvements to be considered for inclusion in the development of the future Area Plans for Banbury; Bicester; and the Four Parishes area (Kidlington, Water Eaton, Begbroke and Yarnton).

Alternative options

Option 1:  The Council could decide not to approve the Frameworks for use as guidance. If this option is chosen, the Frameworks would not be approved as Executive guidance and added to the evidence base for the Local Plan Review, nor would the Frameworks be used as guidance by the Area Oversight Groups.