AONB
Thoughts of Executive member Malcolm Smith on Major Development in the AONB
The ARC
Read more on the concept of the Arc in this Government document ARC stands for Applied Research Collaboration
How will the Oxford-Cambridge Arc evolve and what level of support will be coming from Government or will there be more emphasis on Local initiatives so that a piecemeal approach is taken? Executive member Graeme Markland draws attention to a recent article by the Chief Executive of South Cambridgeshire Council on this subject
Previously in September 2021, Bev Hindle from the Arc Leadership Group had written to Parish Councils to urge them to respond to the July Government Consultation on Arc coverage across five counties and potentially 3.7 million people and supporting over 2 million jobs - read the consultation information noting that it closed on October 12th
Botley West proposed Solar Farm
The scale of the proposal means it will not be considered by the district councils through the normal planning application process, but instead is considered a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP).
NSIPs are large scale projects falling into five general categories (energy; transport; water; waste water and waste) which are considered by the Government to be so big and nationally important that permission to build them needs to be given at a national level, by the Government, rather than by the local authorities.
Instead of applying to the local authority for planning permission, the developer must apply to the Planning Inspectorate for a different permission called a Development Consent Order (DCO).
The developer is responsible for setting the timetable and consultation process for this project.
The district council does not make the final decision on the proposal, but will be closely involved in the decision making and examination process.
Because of the scale of NSIPs, the process has many stages and can seem complicated. The planning inspectorate has a useful video which describes the different stages of the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project planning process.
Chalgrove
Despite being removed as a strategic allocation, Chalgrove Airfield remains owned by Homes England with limited use of the airfield as such -s mostly by Martin Baker Ltd. Will SODC be looking at this again in the light of new targets?
Heat Pumps
Oxfordshire has the potential for heat pumps and here is an example - we are looking at this more closely in future work
Local Green Spaces
Ex ONPA Secretary Lydia Inglis has compiled this useful introductory piece and its never been more important to include provision in new and reviewed NDP’s
The result of recent rulings will undoubtedly have an impact on current and planned developed across the Country and including Oxfordshire - read the points made by NaCSBA
NPPF and earlier bills
The Levelling up and Regeneration Bill - here is what Inside Housing had to say - the overall feeling was summed up in this article by courtesy of the Town & Country Planning Assn. What will the government take forward or even reverse?
ONPA’s Graeme Markland made a comment of his reading of the 2023 NPPF prospectus : “It is proposed that NDPs that are already made or under preparation now will retain their status until they are replaced. Any NDP submitted for examination after 30 June 2025 will have to comply with the new framework and any related guidance.” Graeme has produced his summary of the main points from the December 2023 NPPF - much more since and to come!
Read the submission made by ONPA to the Select Committee DLUHC in respect of the last NPPF (April 12) and the other submissions made - some very interesting observations!
*** As per our home page and the links in “Whats Being Said” the July 30th revised NPPF with its eight week consultation heralds the start of a raft of planning changes
Nutrient Neutrality
Nutrient pollution is a major environmental issue for England’s natural places. It arises from various activities, including farming, untreated or partially treated sewage and wastewater from homes and businesses, and surface water run-off from development.
Natural England, in its statutory role as adviser on the natural environment, has told 74 Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) – including Oxfordshire’s Vale of White Horse District Council – that the polluting impact of new developments in their areas is beyond the level permitted. Before they can go ahead, new residential development in these areas must now achieve ‘nutrient neutrality’, which means that the impact of additional wastewater (including surface water) from developments must be mitigated. This has had a significant impact on the number of homes granted planning permission, with attendant concerns about the ability of LPAs to demonstrate a sufficient and deliverable housing land supply.
Last July the government announced plans to introduce a new legal duty on water companies in England to upgrade wastewater treatment works by 2030 in nutrient neutrality areas to the ‘highest achievable technological levels’. Undoubtedly watch this space as there is more to come
Chief planner Joanna Averley has said that, for those preparing local, strategic or neighbourhood plans, Habitat Regulations would continue to ensure that no adverse environmental effects result from those plans. It is not clear whether new NDP’s in any of the affected areas, including within the Vale, will have to carry out a Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA) as part of mitigation measures at the plan-making stage.
Primary Care and its future
Very much a Hot Topic and ONPA Executives Pauline Smith and Graeme Markland have compiled a very interesting report of great use to NDP teams and an accompanying resource document. Also see a further update document. ONPA have commenced in depth dialogue with the Oxfordshire ICB BOB team on estates usage