The Director of Planning and Regulation submitted a report to request that Cabinet approve the Local Development Scheme 2026-2031, which sets out the work programme for the Oxford Local Plan 2045.

Cabinet is recommended to:

1.    Approve the Local Development Scheme 2026-2031;

2.    Authorise the Director of Planning and Regulation Services to make any necessary minor corrections not materially affecting the document prior to publication.

Cabinet resolved to:

1.    Approve the Local Development Scheme 2026-2031;

2.    Authorise the Director of Planning and Regulation Services to make any necessary minor corrections not materially affecting the document prior to publication.

The Director of Planning and Regulation submitted a report to request that Cabinet approve the Local Development Scheme 2026-2031, which set out the work programme for the Oxford Local Plan 2045.

Councillor Railton said the project plan set out the timetable for Oxford’s Local Plan, which was more than five years old and therefore technically out of date. As it was important to minimise the time spent with an up-to-date plan, the report proposed taking the matter to the meeting. Although the draft Local Plan 2045 had been approved in January this year, an injunction had delayed submission until a hearing in October, creating a risk of missing the 31 December deadline under the current planning system.

Sarah Harrison, Planning Policy Team Leader, noted the proposed programme included two scenarios. One allowed for submission this month, subject to the decision at council the following week. The alternative provided for a new or partial Regulation 19 publication if required, delaying subsequent milestones by several months.

Councillor Railton proposed.

Councillor Chapman seconded.

Cabinet resolved to:

1.    Approve the Local Development Scheme 2026-2031;

2.    Authorise the Director of Planning and Regulation Services to make any necessary minor corrections not materially affecting the document prior to publication.