19/11/10…Council approves Core Strategy (paragraph added 21/11/10)

AFTER a very long and at times, acrimonious meeting of South Oxfordshire District Council last night, the council has approved the draft Core Strategy for submission to the secretary of state. This is the document that sets out how the council will help deliver future housing in the district, including 530 new homes for Thame.

Much of the almost two hours of debate, centred around the various sites for Wallingford, with one councillor proposing an amendment that the chosen site in the Core Strategy be send back to Cabinet to be re-considered. Much argument ensued as to whether this would be a major or a minor amendment with one councillor, Cllr Turner, criticising the Cabinet system itself: “This shows the folly of the cabinet system, with powere in the hands of just a few!”

Thame was only mentioned in passing with Cllr Mike Griffin saying that he could see merit in site D in Thame over site F, and another councillor pointing out a negative point identified for site D in Thame, was used as a positive in the site chosen for Wallingford.

ADDED 21/11/10 – Neither Thame Disttrict Cllr David Dodds nor Cllr David Bretherton were present at the meeting. CClr Ann Midwinter was present and declared an interest as District Councillor for Thame.

Many councillors had obviously become aware of the public disquiet about the consultation process itself with Cllr John Cotton, saying: “We are out of step with public opinion.

Cllr John Cotton summed up the council’s predicament, saying: “The problem is that we are stuck between new and old government legislation.”

Councillors voted 25 in favour, 8 against, with 1 abstention. A recorded WEbcast of the meeting by visiting www.southoxon.gov.uk/webcasts

There will now be a further public consultation period, where people can comment on the soundness of the document. SODC expects to be in a position to submit to the secretary of state in late March 2011.

The secretary of state will appoint an independent planning inspector to scrutinise the strategy. The inspector will hold a series of hearings next summer to examine evidence from supporters, objectors and the council. The inspector will produce a report, which we expect to receive before the end of 2011. If the inspector decides the core strategy is sound then we can go on to adopt it in early 2012.

Angie Paterson, Cabinet member for planning, said:

“Council’s decision last night to approve the Core Strategy is a step in the right direction for securing a successful future for South Oxfordshire. Having thoroughly investigated and consulted on the options, and where possible anticipated future changes, we have arrived at these informed recommendations. The good news is the strategy can now move on to the next stage for submission to the secretary of state.”