The Head of Planning and Regulatory Services has submitted a report to seek approval for the Oxford Local Plan 2040 Proposed Submission Document for public consultation and recommend to Council its approval for consultation and, subject to the outcome of the consultation, if no matters are raised that materially impact upon the Plan strategy, submit the Submission Draft Oxford Local Plan 2040 to the Secretary of State for formal examination.

Please note that Appendices 1 -7 will be published as a separate supplement.

Cabinet is recommended to:

1.      Recommend to Council that it approves the Oxford Local Plan 2040 Proposed Submission Document for consultation;

2.      Recommend to Council that it approves the following supporting statutory documentation: the Sustainability Appraisal, Habitats Regulation Assessment, Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP) and Equalities Impact Assessment;

3.      Authorise the Head of Planning and Regulatory Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning and Healthier Communities, to make any necessary minor typographical changes and modifications to the proposed submission document, IDP, Sustainability Appraisal and Habitat Regulations Assessment, and to agree the final publication style of the draft version before publication; and

4.      Authorise the Head of Planning & Regulatory Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning and Heathier Communities, to make any minor changes to the document following publication which are deemed necessary as a result of the consultation, and then to formally submit the Oxford Local Plan 2040 to the Secretary of State for examination. In the event that significant issues are raised that suggest the Plan is not sound and major amendments are required, the Plan will need to be re-drafted and brought back to Council to approve another public consultation before submission.

The Head of Planning and Regulatory Services had submitted a report to seek approval for the Oxford Local Plan 2040 Proposed Submission Document for public consultation and recommend to Council its approval for consultation and, subject to the outcome of the consultation, if no matters are raised that materially impact upon the Plan strategy, submit the Submission Draft Oxford Local Plan 2040 to the Secretary of State for formal examination.

Councillor Louise Upton, Cabinet Member for Planning and Healthier Communities, highlighted the importance of the Local Plan in achieving the Council’s goals, which included ensuring that future developments did not adversely affect climate change, and tackling the issue of unaffordability of housing for many of Oxford’s residents.  Councillor Upton outlined that the draft Local Plan incorporated a broad range of policies covering areas such as protecting the world class heritage buildings of the city whilst ensuring that they could adapt to climate change; protecting district and local centres so that valued services remained close at hand for residents; ensuring that Oxford remained a vibrant and attractive place to live; requiring a higher level of social housing within developments than in neighbouring districts; and ensuring that Oxford’s residents benefitted from a thriving economy by being able to access well-paid jobs.    Policies had also been included relating to affordable workplaces being provided in large developments; allowing the loss of some badly placed employment land to housing whilst allowing densification of employment at sites closest to transport hubs; increasing biodiversity by 10% within developments; and encouraging greening of the urban environment.  Councillor Upton highlighted the innovative nature of many of these policies.

Cabinet noted that the Scrutiny Committee had considered the report on 16 October and had made eight recommendations.  Of these, six had been accepted.  Several minor changes had been made to the document as a result, which had mostly related to points of clarification.  Two recommendations had not been accepted.  These related to the definition of a Local Centre and the list of Local Centres.  The response had outlined the process which had been undertaken to define the list and its appropriateness, and signposting the definition of a Local Centre which was shown in the glossary.

Cabinet resolved to:

1.      Recommend to Council that it approves the Oxford Local Plan 2040 Proposed Submission Document for consultation;

2.      Recommend to Council that it approves the following supporting statutory documentation: the Sustainability Appraisal, Habitats Regulation Assessment, Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP) and Equalities Impact Assessment;

3.      Authorise the Head of Planning and Regulatory Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning and Healthier Communities, to make any necessary minor typographical changes and modifications to the proposed submission document, IDP, Sustainability Appraisal and Habitat Regulations Assessment, and to agree the final publication style of the draft version before publication; and

4.      Authorise the Head of Planning & Regulatory Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning and Heathier Communities, to make any minor changes to the document following publication which are deemed necessary as a result of the consultation, and then to formally submit the Oxford Local Plan 2040 to the Secretary of State for examination. In the event that significant issues are raised that suggest the Plan is not sound and major amendments are required, the Plan will need to be re-drafted and brought back to Council to approve another public consultation before submission.