West Oxfordshire District Council’s Local Plan examination hearing is set to reconvene in May.
Two separate sessions will be held, the first from Tuesday 9 May and the second from Tuesday 11 July. Both hearings will be held at the Council’s Woodgreen offices in Witney.
Planning Inspector Malcolm Rivett BA (Hons) MSc MRTPI has been appointed to conduct the examination and he will determine whether or not the plan is ‘sound’ in light of the representations received and national policy.
Mr Rivett will publish further guidance by 27 March including:
- What will be discussed at each stage;
- The procedures; and
- When individuals and organisations need to register if they would like to speak at the hearings.
Cllr Jeff Haine, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Economy, said: “It is vital that we get an adopted Local Plan in place as soon as possible otherwise the district will continue to be at risk from speculative housing applications.
“We are confident that we have taken into account the Planning Inspectorates’ requirements, including the request that we accommodate some of Oxford City’s unmet housing need, and we believe what we are putting forward is the best for West Oxfordshire.”
Further information on the process and copies of the documents that have been submitted are available on the Council’s local plan webpage at www.westoxon.gov.uk/localplan2031