The Vale of White Horse District Council has overcome a major hurdle in delivering it’s new Local Plan. The inspector looking into the Vale's Local Plan has said that, subject to some modifications, he is likely to find that the plan is sound and can be adopted. The inspector also concluded that the plan shows the Vale has enough land for seven years’ worth of housing based on the district’s current needs, more than the minimum of five years’ worth needed for local policies to apply when making decisions on planning applications. This is an important cushion to ensure we maintain a five year supply even where there are delays by developers in bringing sites forward. The plan sets out where the main housing sites around the district should be, as well as identifying the jobs, roads, schools and other infrastructure that will be needed to support housing growth. Cllr Mike Murray, cabinet member for Planning Policy at the Vale, said: “We’re very pleased – there are a few modifications we’ll need to make, but that’s perfectly normal at this stage of any local plan. It’s good to hear that the inspector is content with the hard work that has gone into the preparation of this plan, and we’re looking forward to going through the final processes of getting it adopted. We’ve taken a very big step towards making sure local needs are taken into account when making big decisions on housing in the district.” Mr Malcolm Rivett has been examining the plan since September 2015 and has held two public hearings. In a letter to the council he has identified four areas that must still be addressed or where he requires further information to assist his deliberations:
- Whilst the inspector is happy that there are exceptional circumstances to amend the green belt in four areas where the council is proposing housing allocations.He is not satisfied with other proposed changes to the green belt where no housing is proposed and has stated there are not exceptional circumstances to justify them.
- The inspector has also indicated that he is not satisfied there is enough justification for housing sites to be allocated within the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and that these sites are unlikely to be sound – he has explained that there is no need to replace these sites at this stage .
- The inspector has asked the council if the proposed site in East Hanney is deliverable – the Council has concluded that, in light of a recent planning appeal decision in the village the strategic site should be removed from the Local Plan part one.
- He has also asked some questions about a policy relating to the Botley Central Area, which the council will clarify in its letter back to the inspector.
Cllr Matthew Barber, Leader of the Council, concluded “This is great news for communities across the Vale who have suffered due to the absence of a Local Plan and the lack of a 5 year housing land supply. These are only the Inspector’s interim findings so we must be clear that the Local Plan is still not adopted yet, and there will be a further round of consultation later this year on the proposed changes to the Plan. There is however light at the end of the tunnel and today’s news is a huge step forward.” The inspector’s letter is available to read on the council’s website at by clicking here.