‘Come and see for yourself minister!’

THE current wrangle between local councillors and a government minister over the Emerging Local Plan 2034, appears to be developing into a matter of local democracy versus central government control.

The current Emerging Local Plan (which isn’t emerging at the moment because it’s held up by the minister!) was drawn up by the previous, Conservative administration of SODC, which lost control of the authority to a LibDem-Green alliance in May’s local elections. Oxfordshire County Council however, lead by Conservative Councillors, are unhappy about the new SODC administration wanting to re-do the local plan, because they fear the loss of a £218 million Housing Infrastructure Fund for the county that would have come along with it.

In the latest move, local district Councillor and Chair of South Oxfordshire Sustainability (SOS) Sue Roberts, has invited Robert Jenrick, Communities Minister, to visit the area to see for himself the issues around housing in the district.

Robert Jenrick, Right Hon. Secretary of State Housing, Communities and Local Government

The invitation comes after a series of communications between the Minister and local leaders, after the minister put a stop on any further discussion or actions following SODC’s decision to look again at its Emerging Local Plan 2032 (See previous articles on this subject HERE). Jenrick has threatened to hand over the administration of the plan to Oxfordshire County Council.

Dr Sue Roberts, who is also a Board Member of Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership, has written:

Dear Mr Jenrick

I write on behalf of South Oxfordshire Sustainability (SOS). SOS was formed in 2011 as an umbrella organisation for community action groups across the district, for example RSA Thame and Greener Henley. Seventy-five members represent diverse groups focussed on sustainability in terms of climate change, local food, water provision and flood, and how to develop the countryside in a way that protects its assets and its people. We have expert representation from architects, planners, ecologists, farmers and other relevant professionals.

SOS is dismayed at the suspension and potential removal of control of the Local Plan (LP 2034) from South Oxfordshire District Council (SODC), and concerned at the concomitant suspension of democracy. The current Libdem-Green administration at SODC was specifically voted in on a mandate to withdraw the plan put together by Conservatives. It would be partisan and wrong for a Minister therefore, to put the plan back under Conservative control at County.

A letter is enclosed, outlining the unfortunate consequences that nine years of forced growth has already had on South Oxfordshire. We are aware that high housing allocations are causing strain in communities across the country, and believe it is time for constructive dialogue to ensure development provides the right homes for the right people in the right places.

We at SOS would very much welcome the opportunity of meeting with you to discuss this further. You would be most welcome to visit here and we can show you the relevant issues at first-hand. Alternatively we could come to London, at your convenience.

With very best wishes
Dr Sue Roberts (doctor.sue.roberts@gmail.com; 07913 896 874)
Board Member of Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership
SODC Councillor
Chair of South Oxfordshire Sustainability

You can read the views of Cllr Ian Hudspeth, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council on the matter HERE

NB A group of Oxfordshire residents, against the recommendations of the Oxfordshire Growth Board for the area, have set up a petition LINK HERE