Government block lifted on local plan!

THE Liberal Democrat and Green Party partnership at South Oxfordshire District Council have welcomed the news that the Government block on reviewing the new local plan has been lifted. 

LibDems and Greens took power after the Conservatives were thrown out, losing 22 councillors last May. But the Secretary of State, MP Robert Jenrick, threatened to hand control of the South Oxfordshire local plan to the Conservative controlled County Council. 

Cllr Sue Cooper with protestors agains OCC taking over the Local Plan – image courtesy of CPRE

South Oxfordshire have been unable to discuss the plan publicly since a unique Government ban was put in place in October. That ban has now been lifted with a new directive allowing for an extended examination period agreed until the end of 2020 for changes to be considered. 

Liberal Democrat Council Leader Sue Cooper said: “Preventing South Oxfordshire from discussing its own local plan was the wrong approach by the Government and we welcome the lifting of this block. Elected councillors can now propose the changes that are badly needed to this plan.” 

“The recent vote by Oxfordshire County Council to take over the South Oxfordshire plan was an undemocratic power grab by Conservative and Labour councillors who still don’t accept that South Oxfordshire residents voted for new LibDem and Green councillors who have a mandate to put forward changes to the local plan.” 

The Liberal Democrat Cabinet Member for Planning, Cllr Leigh Rawlins said: “During the inspection process, we will make full use of the usual methods to make our views known to the inspectors. In some cases these views will be critical of aspects of the submitted plan, while in no way affecting its overall viability. 

“In addition, we will in due course submit proposed changes to the Inspectors, including but not limited to: 

• Addressing the climate emergency 
• Removing sites on sustainability, deliverability and soundness considerations 
• Enhancing environmental standards for housing 
• Improving the mix of housing to meet local needs 
• Achieving high-quality, sustainable settlements 

“Let’s keep planning local where it belongs, to deliver housing to meet local needs.”