The Director of Planning and Regulations has submitted a report to approve the Proposed Submission Draft Local Plan 2045 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 2045 to the Secretary of State for formal examination.

Recommendation: Council resolves to:

1.    Approve the Proposed Submission Draft Local Plan 2045 document for public consultation;

2.    Authorise all the supporting statutory documentation including the Sustainability Appraisal, Habitats Regulation Assessment, Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP), Policies Map and Equalities Impact Assessment;

3.    Authorise the Director of Planning and Regulation, after consultation with the Lead Cabinet Member, to make any necessary minor editorial corrections to the Submission Draft Oxford Local Plan 2045, IDP, Sustainability Appraisal and Habitats Regulation Assessment, Policies Map, and to agree the supporting evidence base prior to going out to consultation.

4.    Authorise, following publication, the Director of Planning and Regulation, after consultation with the Lead Cabinet Member, to make any minor changes to the document deemed necessary as a result of the consultation.

5.    Authorise submission of the Oxford Local Plan 2045 to the Secretary of State for examination, following Regulation 19 consultation and any minor amendments made according to recommendation 3 or 4 and subject to there being no matters raised in the consultation that are considered to materially impact upon the Plan strategy.

6.    Authorise the Director of Planning and Regulation, after consultation with the Lead Cabinet Member, to invite the examining inspector(s) to recommend any modifications considered to be necessary in accordance with section 20(7C) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

Council resolved to:

1.       Approve the Proposed Submission Draft Local Plan 2045 document, as amended, for public consultation;

2.       Authorise all the supporting statutory documentation including the Sustainability Appraisal, Habitats Regulation Assessment, Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP), Policies Map and Equalities Impact Assessment;

3.       Authorise the Director of Planning and Regulation, after consultation with the Lead Cabinet Member, to make any necessary minor editorial corrections to the Submission Draft Oxford Local Plan 2045, IDP, Sustainability Appraisal and Habitats Regulation Assessment, Policies Map, and to agree the supporting evidence base prior to going out to consultation.

4.       Authorise, following publication, the Director of Planning and Regulation, after consultation with the Lead Cabinet Member, to make any minor changes to the document deemed necessary as a result of the consultation.

5.       Authorise submission of the Oxford Local Plan 2045 to the Secretary of State for examination, following Regulation 19 consultation and any minor amendments made according to recommendation 3 or 4 and subject to there being no matters raised in the consultation that are considered to materially impact upon the Plan strategy.

6.       Authorise the Director of Planning and Regulation, after consultation with the Lead Cabinet Member, to invite the examining inspector(s) to recommend any modifications considered to be necessary in accordance with section 20(7C) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

Council considered the report from the Director of Planning and Regulation seeking approval for the Oxford Local Plan 2045 for public consultation and approve it 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 2045 to the Secretary of State for formal examination.

Councillor Hollingsworth, Cabinet Member for Planning and Culture, introduced the report. He began by thanking the Planning Policy team for their efforts and help with producing the plan in short notice.

For the Green Group amendments, Councillor Hollingsworth accepted the following amendments:

• Amendment 1: Securing more sites for Boat Dwellers - In the Policy Context for H11, add the following new bullet point: “The City Council welcomes opportunities for the establishment of new moorings and will produce further planning guidance for those seeking to deliver new moorings in the City”,
• Amendment 2B: An Oxford Living Wage for apprentices - In Policy E3, at bullet point f), add “although this is encouraged where possible”, after “other than apprentices” so that it reads: “f) Paying all employees (other than apprentices, although this is encouraged) the Oxford Living Wage”,
• Amendment 2C: The Oxford Living Wage as a minimum standard - In Policy E3, remove or “other social clauses appropriate to the development” in bullet point g),
• Amendment 4: Welcoming community-owned energy projects - In the Policy Context for Policy R1, add the following as a new bullet point: “The development of local renewable energy projects will be especially welcomed where they are community owned or owned by non-profit making organisations”
• Amendment 5A: Promoting community cohesion, health and wellbeing in our communities - In the Policy Context for Policy C1, “Establishments that promote community cohesion, health and wellbeing are particularly welcomed in the city centre, local, and district centres” and,
• Amendment 6: Protecting pubs - In Policy C5, after “Planning permission will not be granted for the loss of existing cultural venues and visitor attractions”, “including pubs”, so that it reads, “Planning permission will not be granted for the loss of existing cultural venues and visitor attractions, including pubs, except in the following circumstances:”.

For the Liberal Democrat Group amendments, Councillor Hollingsworth accepted amendment 3 "Urban Design and Heritage" subheading for the site allocation policy SPN1: Diamond Place and Ewert House: "Public toilet facilities are currently located on the site. Development proposals should demonstrate how these facilities will be re-provided or justify an alternative approach".

Councillor Hollingsworth put forward the proposal for Council to endorse the recommendation.

The recommendation was seconded by Councillor Brown.

Council received amendments to the draft Local Plan 2040 that were submitted in accordance with Council procedure rules. The following records the decision reached on each proposed amendment.

For the Green Group, Councillor Rawle, on being seconded by Councillor Muddiman, proposed an amendment as follows: amendment 3a, preventing the loss of playground space. In Policy G1, insert after “Planning permission will not be granted for development that results in the loss of “, “playground space or”, so that it reads: “Planning permission will not be granted for  development that results in the loss of playground space or other green infrastructure features such  as hedges or ponds where this would have a significant adverse impact upon public amenity or ecological interest.

Additionally, amendment 3b, encouraging the provision of a City Centre playground. In the Policy Context for Policy G1, include a new bullet point: “The City Centre has a deficit of high quality, accessible playgrounds and the Council will welcome applications that seek to resolve or contribute to the resolving of, this deficit.”

On being put to the vote, amendment 3a was lost and amendment 3b was carried.

For the Liberal Democrat Group, Councillor Smowton, on being seconded by Councillor Fouweather, proposed an amendment as follows: the amendment regarding the quality of cycle parking provision for which it cites out to LTN120 with regard to the physical design of cycle parking. There are four categories, C1 hotels, junior schools, senior schools and other educational establishments. 

On being put to the vote, the amendment was carried.

The Council was temporarily adjourned.

The Head of Planning and Regulatory Services updated Council on officers advice, stating that all sites proposed for allocation have been assessed against the overall strategy of the plan. Those sites where development fits within the strategy have been proposed for allocation. This is particularly important where we have a housing crisis, substantial unmet housing need and are reliant on neighbouring authorities to help us meet this. This advice would be the same no matter which site was being proposed for removal at this stage. 

Whilst removal of an individual site is unlikely to render the Plan unsound in of itself, its removal would not be consistent with the strategy of the Plan and its approach to all other sites. We need to be able to demonstrate that we have assessed and found all available capacity with the city and this amendment would be contrary to this. Officers recommendation is that this amendment would treat one specific site as an exception to the process used and that this inconsistency could undermine the Plan. 

For the Independent Oxford Alliance Group, Councillor Henwood, on being seconded by Councillor Malik, proposed an amendment as follows: withdrawal of the policy SPS8: Land at Meadow Lane from the Local Plan, thereby removing the Horse Fields as a designated housing site.

On being put to the vote, the amendment was lost.

Council voted to defer the items 22, 23 and 24 to the next meeting and agreed to hear the public addresses before concluding the debate on the Local Plan.

Following debate and on being put to the vote, the recommendations were agreed.

Council resolved to:

1.       Approve the Proposed Submission Draft Local Plan 2045 document, as amended, for public consultation;

2.       Authorise all the supporting statutory documentation including the Sustainability Appraisal, Habitats Regulation Assessment, Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP), Policies Map and Equalities Impact Assessment;

3.       Authorise the Director of Planning and Regulation, after consultation with the Lead Cabinet Member, to make any necessary minor editorial corrections to the Submission Draft Oxford Local Plan 2045, IDP, Sustainability Appraisal and Habitats Regulation Assessment, Policies Map, and to agree the supporting evidence base prior to going out to consultation.

4.       Authorise, following publication, the Director of Planning and Regulation, after consultation with the Lead Cabinet Member, to make any minor changes to the document deemed necessary as a result of the consultation.

5.       Authorise submission of the Oxford Local Plan 2045 to the Secretary of State for examination, following Regulation 19 consultation and any minor amendments made according to recommendation 3 or 4 and subject to there being no matters raised in the consultation that are considered to materially impact upon the Plan strategy.

6.       Authorise the Director of Planning and Regulation, after consultation with the Lead Cabinet Member, to invite the examining inspector(s) to recommend any modifications considered to be necessary in accordance with section 20(7C) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.