West Oxfordshire Local Plan Update: Regulation 18 Consultation Launched 

Today marks the next step in preparing the West Oxfordshire Local Plan, with the publication of the Draft Preferred Policy Options Paper. It is on consultation until 8th August, and looking at it from a housing standpoint, the key points of the Plan are set out below. 

Settlement hierarchy in West Oxfordshire 

For those familiar with the current Local Plan, it’s very much business as usual, with the settlement hierarchy from the current Plan carried forward into the new Plan. In terms of strategy, the Plan proposes to align growth with existing and planned infrastructure and seeks to sustain the vitality of local communities (amongst other things). In terms of scale, the terminology used in the Plan is as follows: 

• Small scale – 1 to 10 dwellings 

• Medium scale – 10 to 300 dwellings 

• Strategic scale – 300 plus dwellings 

This is deployed as follows: 

• Principal Towns will remain the focus for growth, looking to accommodate small, medium and strategic scale development sites. 

• Service Centres—The focus will be on proportionate growth appropriate to the size of the settlement, with a focus on small—and medium-scale development. 

• Villages – a focus on smaller levels of growth, looking for small and medium-sized sites which are of a more limited scale than Service Centre locations. 

• Small Villages and Hamlets – development is limited to those that require a rural location. 

This approach to settlement expansion is complemented by focusing growth along “key strategic corridors”, which in West Oxfordshire terms means the A40 and the A44 (Chipping Norton and Woodstock). 

Housing need – 16,000 homes for West Oxfordshire 

The new Standard Method calculation saw a dramatic increase in the District’s housing requirement, rising to 905 dpa, equating to 14,480 homes over the Plan Period. It is welcome that the Plan aims to meet this in full. In addition, the Plan looks to add an additional 10% buffer, taking the planned supply to 16,000 homes. There may be a need for further upward expansion to take account of Oxford City’s unmet needs following the recent failure of the Local Plan. In terms of supply composition, the following should be noted: 

• 11,700 to come forward from allocations (5,200 from the 2031 Plan and 6,500 new allocations from the 2041 Plan) 

• 1950 from windfall allowance (150 pa 2028 to 2041). 

Where are the new site allocations? 

The Reg 18 consultation does not contain any new site allocations, which is conspicuous by its absence. Instead, it is a demonstration of the Council’s emerging thinking on the overall direction of travel. The Plan makes clear that there will be another focused consultation on potential development sites towards the end of 2025. 

West Oxfordshire’s Local Plan update – what this means for developers and landowners

The plan clearly shows considerable stability in the development strategy approach and settlement hierarchy, which is to be welcomed. Given the lack of site-specific allocations and a high housing target, which will rise subject to understanding Oxford’s unmet needs, there is a clear opportunity to promote sites for development. We have extensive experience in the District and would be happy to discuss any future options with you. In the meantime, you can find out more about our relevant experience here.  

How we can help

If you have a site which you think might have development potential in the West Oxfordshire area, then feel free to come and talk to us about what you are looking to bring forward and to find our more about how we can best assist. 

Nathan McLoughlin – Managing Director 

T: 01242895008 

E: nathan.mcloughlin@mplanning.co.uk 

About us

We are McLoughlin Planning, and our team has a simple objective: to get results for our clients by providing high quality planning consultancy. 

Our reputation for integrity, innovation and intelligence means we are a growing business, thriving on personal recommendations from our loyal clients and trusted industry colleagues. Our team of chartered town planning consultants deal with a host of interesting planning projects from across southern England and Wales – from strategic promotions and commercial premises to private developments and rural projects. 

We are a friendly and approachable team who care passionately about the built environment, always striving to get the best outcome for our clients and the community. Find out more about us here.