The Head of Planning, Sustainable Development and Regulatory Services has submitted a report to recommend that Council approves the Oxford Local Plan 2036 Proposed Submission Document for public consultation and, subject to the outcome of the consultation, if no matters are raised that materially impact upon the Plan strategy, to submit the Submission Draft Oxford Local Plan to the Secretary of State for formal examination.

Please note that Appendices 2i,ii,iii,iv, and v will be  published as a separate supplement.

Recommendations:That the City Executive Board resolves to:

1.    Recommend Council approves  the Oxford Local Plan 2036 Proposed Submission Document for public consultation;

2.     Recommend Council approves all the supporting statutory documentation that includes the Sustainability Appraisal, Habitats Regulation Assessment, Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP), Equalities Impact Assessment, and Options Consultation Report;

3.    Authorise the Head of Planning, Sustainable Development and Regulatory Services (or any officer acting in that capacity), after consultation with the Executive Board Member, to make any necessary editorial corrections to the document, IDP, Sustainability Appraisal and Habitats Regulation Assessment, and to agree the final publication style draft  version before publication;

4.    Approve the Oxford Local Plan 2036 Proposed Submission Document as a material consideration in determining planning applications; and

5.    Authorise the Head of Planning, Sustainable Development and Regulatory  Services (or any officer acting in that capacity), after publication and after consultation with the Executive Board Member, to make any minor changes to the document deemed necessary as a result of the consultation, and then to formally submit the Oxford Local Plan 2036 to the Secretary of State for examination.

The Head of Planning, Sustainable Development and Regulatory Services had submitted a report to recommend that Council approves the Oxford Local Plan 2036 Proposed Submission Document for public consultation and, subject to the outcome of the consultation, if no matters are raised that materially impact upon the Plan strategy, to submit the Submission Draft Oxford Local Plan to the Secretary of State for formal examination.

Councillor Hollingsworth introduced the report and began by placing on record his thanks to the team of officers led by Patsy Dell for their exemplary work in bringing the plan to this point. The workload had been considerable for a small team. He paid particular tribute to the contribution made by Sarah Harrison and Amanda Ford.

This was the penultimate stage before submission to the Secretary of State and public consultation, with the final Council opportunity to influence at its meeting to be held the following day.

Councillor Hollingsworth went on to draw attention to the 4 changes made as a result of the recent Scrutiny consideration of the draft, details of which had been published before the meeting.

The City Executive Board resolved to recommend to Council to:

1.         Approve  the Oxford Local Plan 2036 Proposed Submission Document for public consultation, subject to the changes identified above;

2.         Approve all the supporting statutory documentation that includes the Sustainability Appraisal, Habitats Regulation Assessment, Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP), Equalities Impact Assessment, and Options Consultation Report;

3.         Authorise the Head of Planning, Sustainable Development and Regulatory Services (or any officer acting in that capacity), after consultation with the Executive Board Member, to make any necessary editorial corrections to the document, IDP, Sustainability Appraisal and Habitats Regulation Assessment, and to agree the final publication style draft  version before publication;

4.         Approve the Oxford Local Plan 2036 Proposed Submission Document as a material consideration in determining planning applications; and

5.         Authorise the Head of Planning, Sustainable Development and Regulatory  Services (or any officer acting in that capacity), after publication and after consultation with the Executive Board Member, to make any minor changes to the document deemed necessary as a result of the consultation, and then to formally submit the Oxford Local Plan 2036 to the Secretary of State for examination.