Oxfordshire Councils Launch Consultation for Second Joint Local Plan

The South Oxfordshire District Council and Vale of White Horse District Council have launched a public scoping consultation for their second Joint Local Plan. The initiative aims to establish development priorities for housing, employment, and infrastructure through 2045. The consultation period runs until September 29, seeking early feedback from residents and businesses on the plan's scope and engagement structure.

These councils are initiating the second plan while their first Joint Local Plan, which covers development to 2041, is still undergoing independent examination. This simultaneous process is a requirement of new government regulations. Under these rules, the second plan must be prepared, examined, and adopted within 30 months, with the process starting no later than October 31, 2026.

Cabinet members from both councils emphasized the necessity of the overlap. Anne-Marie Simpson of South Oxfordshire District Council noted that many other councils are in the same position due to the new regulations. Andy Foulsham of Vale of White Horse District Council stated that while working on two plans at once is a challenge, the councils intend to apply the same dedication used during the first plan to see the second through.