30/11/10……Your chance to scrutinise the Core Strategy

FOLLOWING SODC’s approval of the controversial draft core strategy on November 18, the council is now publishing it on Friday, December 3, for further comment from the public and other interested parties.

The strategy sets out how and where the council intends to deliver new housing, opportunities for jobs and support town centres across the district to 2017.

Residents will have seven weeks to scrutinise the plan but unlike previous consultations on the strategy, this final stage takes a much more formal route. Anyone wishing to make a comment will have to follow set criteria provided by the Planning Inspectorate. This includes using specific forms to send in comments, all of which must relate to whether the strategy is:

Legally compliant ? has the council followed the correct procedures for preparing and developing the strategy?

Sound – is the content of the strategy justifiable and founded on robust, credible evidence? Is it effective and deliverable? Is it consistent with regional and national policies?

The council has set up a telephone helpline to guide residents through this process on 01491 823 823. Further guidance notes will also be available from Friday at www.southoxon.gov.uk

Angie Paterson, South Oxfordshire District Council?s Cabinet member for planning said: “The core strategy is one of the district?s most important documents, building on over three years of work with stakeholders and with our communities. At this stage, residents have to follow the structure set out by the Planning Inspectorate to ensure their views are taken forward.

“We recognise some may find this quite complicated, so we?ve provided additional support with a dedicated helpline and guidance notes. I strongly recommend residents to make use of these resources before making any comments.?

Details on this consultation can be found on the council?s website, at town and parish councils or libraries across the district. The publication period closes on the Friday, January 21, 2011 at 4.30 pm precisely. The council cannot accept any comments received after this date, so residents need to ensure that they?ve sent in their comments in good time.

What happens after the consultation?

Once the consultation period closes, the council will take the time to analyse the responses and make any minor amendments to the strategy. The council 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 SODC expects to receive before the end of 2011. If the inspector decides the core strategy is sound then the council can go on to adopt it in early 2012.