Issue - meetings

Report of Head of Strategic Planning and the Economy

Summary

To receive a report on the progress made on the Bicester Masterplan.

A presentation will be given by representatives of WYG, the consultants appointed to prepare the Bicester Masterplan.

Recommendations

The Executive is recommended:

(1)               To consider the issues that have informed the preparation of the Masterplan for Bicester and to note the progress being made. 

(1)               To consider proceeding to public consultation and completion of the Masterplan by May 2012.

Recommendations approved

The Head of Strategic Planning and the Economy submitted a report which updated Members on the progress made on the Bicester Masterplan. In introducing the report, the Lead Member for Planning advised that the Masterplan would be a blueprint for Bicester over the next 30 to 40 years and would be used to update the Bicester chapter of the Core Strategy for the district due for completion in 2012.

Gordon Lewis of WYG, the consultants appointed by Cherwell District Council in November 2011 to prepare a Masterplan for Bicester, gave a presentation which updated Executive on progress.

Members welcomed the proposal and the substantive progress that had been made. The Executive commended the coordinated approach being taken which took into account the various developments underway in Bicester.  

In considering the Masterplan, it was suggested that that to avoid confusion with the North West Bicester Masterplan, the Bicester Masterplan could be referred to as the ‘Bicester Blueprint’. Members commented that they would be keen to see further expansion of sports facilities and that health facilities should be high on the agenda in light of the projected population growth.

The Lead Member for Planning explained that the council would be consulting on the Masterplan proposals in the spring. Members stressed the importance of extending the consultation to residents who lived on the outskirts of Bicester and in the surrounding villages. It was important that the council engaged with as wide a cross section as possible. The Chairman encouraged Members to advise officers of any stakeholders they felt the council should engage with.   

Resolved

(1)               That the issues that have informed the preparation of the Masterplan for Bicester be considered the progress being made be noted. 

(2)               That officers be requested to proceed to public consultation and complete the Masterplan by May 2012.

Reasons

The Bicester Masterplan will be used to update the Bicester chapter of the Core Strategy for the District due for completion in 2012. The Masterplan contains a set of strategic proposals for the future development of the town to ensure the development of the town proceeds in a holistic, planned, coordinated way.

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