Oxford Local Plan 2045 Submission Draft (Regulation 19) Consultation

Overview

The City Council is carrying out a Proposed Submission Draft (Regulation 19) Consultation on the Oxford Local Plan 2045.  The Local Plan is important because it will shape how Oxford develops.  It will set out how we want our city to look and feel; it will guide new developments and people’s quality of life; it will deliver the new homes, businesses, jobs, shops and infrastructure needed to support the growth of Oxford over the next 20 years; and it will be used in determining planning applications and to guide investment decisions across the city. 

Why your views matter

The Proposed Submission Draft Consultation offers the public the final chance to express their views on whether the plan meets the tests of soundness set out in paragraph 36 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).  Any comments received will be sent to the Planning Inspectorate who will consider them during the Examination in Public that is expected to take place in Spring 2027.  The Planning Inspector will consider comments as they relate to the soundness and legal compliance of the plan contents. In your representation you should provide succinctly all the evidence and supporting information necessary to support your representation and your suggested modification(s) as applicable.

After this consultation stage further submissions may only be made if they are specifically invited by the Inspector, based on the matters and issues he or she identifies for examination.  We will publicise this in the event it happens.

Links to where the consultation documents can be viewed are listed below.  The Local Plan webpage also has guidance that explains what is meant by soundness and legal compliance.

General Advice on making a comment 

If you are seeking a change to the document, please check that you have:

• • made it clear in what way the document is unsound in regard to the legal requirements and tests of soundness;
  • stated precisely how you think the document should be changed;
  • supported your comment with evidence showing why the document should be changed; and
  • provided all the evidence and supporting information necessary to support or justify your comment and the suggested change, as there will not normally be a later opportunity to comment further.

If you are part of a group who share a common view on how the document should be changed, it would be very helpful for that group to send a single response that represents the view, rather than for many individuals to send in separate comments that repeat the same points. In such cases the group should state how many people it represents and how it has been authorised to do so.