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.
No changes for probably up to two years ? What then?
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 make interesting reading
NPPF
The December 2025 draft NPPF is one third larger than its predecessor and is outr for consultation until March 10th. There will be plenty of reaction. Neighbourhood Planning is very much supported but will local context be enhanced or increased?
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. How will the removal of the “Duty to Co—operate” solve the long standing unmet need question. ONPA Members can get involved in our Forum discussions!
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. Do we need this number of new homes? Our Forum raises some key coinsiderations for ONPA members
GREEN BELT - GREEN OR “GREY”?
Planning consent is increasingly being sought for solar farms, data centres and associated energy projects together with housing developments that would have stood liitle chance of approval in recent years. Our Discussion Forum goes into this key Oxfordshire consideration
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
Our Forum content covers the importance of this new legislsation
