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Almost 11,000 new homes to be built in Oxford as inspectors approve local plan
Planning inspectors have approved a new local plan for Oxford, which could see more than 10,000 new homes built within the city over the next 15 years.
Oxford City Council’s ‘Local Plan 2036’, which sets out long-term development proposals for the local authority, has been given the go-ahead by the planning inspectorate on the basis that a number of recommended changes are made.
The new plan includes a capacity figure of 10,884 new homes within the council’s boundaries, an increase from the 8,620 homes originally proposed.
It also sets a target of delivering 50% affordable housing on sites of 10 or more homes, of which at least 40% should be for social rent.
A financial contribution towards affordable housing will be required on student developments of 25 or more units, alternatively developers will be required to provide affordable housing on site.
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The inspector’s report said: “It is reasonable for the plan to require the provision of affordable housing in this way to achieve the planning objective of meeting and balancing the housing needs of all groups in a constrained city.”
The local plan seeks an initial 40% reduction in carbon emissions for new developers, rising to 50% after 2026. New residential developments must be zero carbon from March 2030.
Oxford Council will now consider whether to adopt the recommended plan at a meeting on 8 June.
The progress comes amid an ongoing dispute between neighbouring South Oxfordshire District Council and housing secretary Robert Jenrick over the council’s local plan.
South Oxfordshire Council’s Liberal Democrat-Green-independent coalition cabinet voted last year to scrap the plan developed by the previous Conservative administration, however Mr Jenrick has ordered the council to adopt the plan by December this year.
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