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South East Plan and Context for Future Development

The South East Regional Plan will set the overall planning policy context for West Oxfordshire for the period up to 2026. Draft proposals have been submitted to Government for approval. The Government's response is due in 2008 and may result in significant changes to the Plan.

West Oxfordshire is not an area where major growth is envisaged under the provisions of the draft SE Plan. This draft Plan proposes 6,700 new homes are built in the District from 2006 to 2026. Outstanding planning permissions (2,240 dwellings at 1 April 2007) and completions (810 in 2006/7) equal about 45% of the 2026 housing provision. In addition there are some 600 homes to be built on remaining local plan allocated sites (excluding North Curbridge reserve site at Witney). This identified supply leaves a minimum of 3,000 homes to plan for through new allocated sites and windfalls.

The existing supply is more than sufficient to meet the overall housing requirements for the next 5 years or so. For the years beyond 2011 the Council is likely to be steering additional housing to the main towns and some larger villages (see West Oxfordshire Settlement Characteristics). Any land allocations elsewhere will need to be justified on sustainability grounds and/or restricted to meeting affordable housing needs only.

There is also no immediate need to release further land for employment use given the level of permissions and allocated sites in the development pipeline. However there will be a longer term need, particularly in Witney (see West Oxfordshire Economy Study).

Note

The Panel Report following the Examination in Public of the draft SE Plan recommends an extra 600 dwellings for West Oxfordshire, thereby increasing the target from 6,700 to 7,300 new homes by 2026. The Panel Report was published by the Government Office for the South East on 29 August 2007.