THE LABOUR GOVERNMENT ARE REFORMING PLANNING and Neighbourhood Planning will be affected - not just through the NPPF, the new Planning and Infrastructure Bill and now the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill following the White Paper on Devolution - with its proposed wholesale changes to many Local Authority Districts and the concept of new Mayoral roles.
WHAT DOES THIS HOLD FOR OXFORDSHIRE??
The arguments are gaining pace with the case for two or three unitary councils being put forward, whilst Government might prefer just the one. Your chance to attend a consultation on the two unitary option comes in the next week or so
No changes for probably up to two years ONPA Members can read “Whats Being Said” in the exclusive members area
Could the expansion of Luton Airport and the proposed Universal theme park half way between Oxford & Cambridge revive plans for an Expressway ?
Currently a hot topic is how emerging and reviewed Neighbourhood Plans are going to be funded following the decision to remove the funding facility that has been provided by Locality - South & Vale have reaffirmed their support
Since 2011, governments have spent over £45 million to support the vital role of local authorities in the neighbourhood planning process with in in excess of 1800 plans made- but funding support from Locality is not continuing as a result of Spending Review advice from MHCLG to Locality. Questions were asked in the House of Commons and you can follow the briefing for the debate held earlier in July. The National Association of Local Councils are hugely concerned and making that known to Government- read their response to the news and sign the 38 degrees petition for restoration!! The CPRE are similarly concerned to retain full community involvement!
ONPA recently conducted a survey to establish the “effectiveness of Oxfordshire Neighbourhood Plans” - 71 made NP’s were consulted and 50% responded - the results are shortly to be made available to planning stakeholders - locally and nationally and our ONPAmembers
NPPF
The Government last published a revised NPPF at end of 2024, reflecting the “top down” approach they intend to apply to set the bar for planning reforms. A consultation document was available for the NPPF revisions and the devil is in the detail and the intent from the written and delivered statement - many thousands of responses were made! our colleagues at Community First Oxfordshire sent this detailed response. ***The new NPPF as published - take a close look
ONPA submitted our response and this was the main topic at our event last October , discussing the implications in respect of the role and significance of Neighbourhood Planning. We had previously sought a response from the then Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and a reply was received!
(ONPA Executive Member Graeme Markland did put together a helpful analysis and summary of his thoughts on the previous NPPF in 2023) - go to Events in our Members area for more on this topic
LOCAL PLANS
Authorities without up to date Local Plans are increasingly under scrutiny based on delivery, targets and general performance. The big question is what is exactly meant by “up to date” and how that impacts with both made Neighbourhood Plans and reviewed NP’s? We know this will result in changes to the Basic Conditions that must be applied in NP examination procedure
There are many consultations taking place across our five Districts. For a quick look at South and Vale joint LP2041 Preferences consultation, take a look at this helpful YouTube video . The CPRE views can be seen as another guide and opinion and their response to NPPF proposals has been timely. Examinations have been underway and more will be following
See our Local Plans page on the Members site for more - big news was the rejection of the Oxford City draft Local Plan by the examining inspectors - raising issues over unmet need and the duty to cooperate (see Key Dates entry for links)
Did you know - Oxfordshire’s population is likely to be 856,000 by 2035 - Oxfordshire County Council are inceasingly becoming involved in Neighbourhood Planning through topics such as healthcare, living well, active and other travel and communications - which will keep staff busy! OCC have produced a very helpful toolkit aimed at communities wanting information on how public health links with Neighbourhood Plans
HOUSING TARGETS
1.5 million new homes in five years requires considerable input to be achievable! The Government are likely to pursue both a“quick win” and “longer term” strategy which will increase differing pressures and generate a great deal of controversy - there is a possibility that Neighbourhood Plan policies may gain even greater strength in accepting growth or defending growth where infrastructure does not support it. Take a look at the Housing Needs Survey for South & Vale as published in November 2023 - will this and similar for the other districts require updating and what will be the impact in Oxfordshire? Targets aim for over 1,500 extra homes a year in Oxfordshire and across the South East, the target has shifted from 51,251 new homes a year to 69,060 homes. Take a look at a possible projection on “New Town” location or by clicking the “What’s being said” button
**The Dorchester Group are looking toward up to 9000 homes at Heyford Park with surrounding Parishes impacted and Heyford Park has become a new Parish undertaking its own Neighbourhood Plan
GREEN BELT - GREEN OR “GREY”?
LPA’s are being told to review their Green Belt land and this is a key consideration for NP’s in Oxfordshire that include Green Belt and there will undoubtedly be a hard fought battle in respect of implementation. Many Parishes have Green Belt considerations and we encourage everyone to respond - it is well worth reading the points made by the Chairman of the Oxford Green Belt Network - see the UK Green Belt map. An increasing number of appeals are being allowed based on acceptance they do not harm the Green Belt and do conform to the NPPF Golden Rules
How do you differentiate between a “town” and a “village” and why is it now so significant ? Grey belt designation of parts of the Green Belt meeting key criteria give new protection to towns in the new legislation but not to villages. Accordingly, in Solihull, the LPA are consulting on the the settlement hierarchy with a view to changing categories to give added Green Belt protection. How will that affect our villages especially those known as larger villages with the facilities of a small town?
ENERGY, CLIMATE CHANGE & DESIGN
All increased aspects of great community interest balancing the policy of achieving economic growth, housing in the right places and allowing affordable and social housing to expand, and to address shortages whilst protecting the rural patterns across our County. How about the necessary infrastructure? New Solar Farm projects abound with controversy over the legality of recently approved projects for Ed Milliband
INFRASTRUCTURE - CONTENT OF THE PLANNING & INFRASTRUCTURE BILL
Government has given further details on planning reforms in this piece - of particular note is the relevance of development potential near transport hubs such as railway stations and a proposed reduction in statutory consultees at a time when there is as strong argument to favour including made Neighbourhood Plans an obvious consultee in addition to Parish Councils!
Statutory consultees reduced by two to speed up decision making
LPA Planning Committee Councillors must undergo training with a certificate to confirm this training
Increase in Planning fees at the discretion of each LP:A
Introduction of Spatial Development Strategies (SDS) across multiple local authorities
The use of a “Nature Restoration Fund” where developers are required to contribute to enhance environmental objectives
The ongoing commitment to build 1.5 million homes and fast track 150 major infrastructure projects in the like of the current parliament - with streamlined consultation requirements to expedite critical infrastructure projects
(note the “WHAT’S BEING SAID” BUTTON , HOT TOPICS for more info in our Members Site)
