West Oxfordshire District Council has voiced apprehension regarding revisions to national planning policy, cautioning that the changes might diminish local control over development.
The local authority submitted its formal response to a Government consultation regarding proposed amendments to the National Planning Policy Framework.
While the council acknowledged certain positive aspects of the reform package, it raised significant objections to suggestions that could centralize decision-making authority away from local levels.
Hugo Ashton, the council’s executive member for planning, commented: “We appreciate the opportunity to participate in this consultation and acknowledge the Government’s objective to modernize the planning framework.
The draft framework aims to consolidate national planning guidance to enhance readability and operational efficiency, facilitating easier preparation of local strategies by councils and steering development toward environmentally sustainable areas.
West Oxfordshire District Council endorsed the pursuit of a more transparent, integrated system and intends to streamline evidence requirements for local plans, suggesting this could lower expenses and accelerate implementation.
Conversely, the council contested provisions that would relocate greater planning specificity into nationally determined policies, cautioning that this might undermine the function of locally-developed strategies designed to address community requirements.
The council also highlighted worries that new nationally-mandated decision-making criteria could render existing local policies void without appropriate transitional measures.
This holds particular significance for the council’s zero-carbon objectives detailed in the Salt Cross Garden Village Area Action Plan.
The council observed that under the proposed new framework, such locally-established energy requirements might not receive authorization, potentially compromising its environmental targets.
Additional concerns were expressed regarding a more liberal stance toward construction within and beyond settlements, as well as in areas adjacent to well-connected railway stations, alongside increased housing targets and diminished local oversight of significant energy and telecommunications infrastructure projects.
The council also rejected provisions permitting developments of up to 50 dwellings to circumvent on-site affordable housing obligations and other standard planning conditions.
West Oxfordshire’s Executive gave approval to the draft response on March 11, with the final submission forwarded to the Government on March 12.
As a separate matter, the council leader intends to correspond with Natural England’s chief executive regarding delays in designating Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
The council is advocating for temporary safeguards for significant habitats, including floodplain meadows and ancient woodlands, to ensure they are factored into planning determinations until the pending backlog is resolved.