This report summarises the findings and the planning implications of the new Oxfordshire Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA).  It sets out the implications of the SHMA projections for future housing provision, and the process for accommodating any unmet need.  It also advises on the implications for adopted planning policies.

The Board is asked to:-

(1)  Note that the City Council will continue to apply the housing requirement figure from Policy CS22 of the Core Strategy for the purpose of calculating Oxford’s five-year housing land supply;

(2)  Endorse the general approach to accommodating Oxford’s unmet housing need set out in the report; and,

(3)  Note that a further report will be presented to Council setting out the forecast level of Oxford’s unmet housing need that will need to be met by the other Oxfordshire districts

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The Head of City Development submitted a report (previously circulated, now appended) concerning the Oxfordshire Strategic Housing Market assessment for 2014. Councillor Colin Cook, Board Member for Housing, presented the report to the Board and gave some background and context.

Councillor Cook observed that the housing need of the City is beyond the City’s physical and environmental ability to accommodate it; and that the case for outward expansion becomes ever more compelling. While the local authorities in Oxfordshire have a legal duty to co-operate, they do not necessarily have to agree, and that has the potential to create problems.

Adrian Roche (Team Leader, Planning Policy) confirmed that the Council would obtain an independent consultant’s verification of the Oxford Land Supply figure, and an indication of the constraints upon the City.  Councillor Price agreed it was important that the City Council obtained an independent view of unmet housing need.

Councillor John Goddard addressed the Board on this issue. He stressed that Oxford City Council, Oxfordshire County Council and the other District councils needed to work together on this matter to ensure housing needs county-wide were met. Oxfordshire was a very rural county, and just 1% of the Oxford Green Belt could accommodate 13,000 houses.

Resolved to:-

(1)  Note that the City Council will continue to apply the housing requirement figure from Policy CS22 of the Core Strategy for the purpose of calculating Oxford’s five-year housing land supply;

(2)  Endorse the general approach to accommodating Oxford’s unmet housing need set out in the report;

(3)  Note that a further report will be presented to council setting out the forecast level of Oxford’s unmet housing need that will need to be met by the other Oxfordshire districts.