The public are being urged to have their say as the period for commenting on development decisions comes to a close.

Cherwell District Council’s six-week consultation on its draft 2040 local plan will come to an end on Friday, November 3, meaning the public have just a few days to raise their voices on plans for new homes, places of work or infrastructure.

People can get involved by visiting the council’s online consultation platform here: https://cherwell.citizenspace.com/planning-policy/cherwell-local-plan-review-2040-consultation-draft/consultation/intro/

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Councillor Dan Sames, portfolio holder for planning and development, said: “This draft Plan sets out a vision and proposes policies for new homes, employment land, town centre improvements, infrastructure and other essential services to support the local community up to the year 2040.

“It aims to guide future development, so it helps build healthy and sustainable communities, creates opportunities for all, and improves the places we live, work and play.

“The plan also needs to respond to challenges such as climate change and protect our environment, landscape and built heritage.

“We are keen for residents to tell us if they agree the draft Plan meets the district’s needs and how it could be improved.

“It is easy for people to have their say by visiting our consultation platform and I encourage them to do so before the consultation closes on November 3.”

At the end of the current consultation period the council will work through the feedback received.

They will consider all of the representations made, will continue to gather further evidence and work towards finalising the plan by next autumn. It will then be submitted to government and undergo an examination by a government-appointed planning inspector.

People can learn more and have their say by visiting cherwell.citizenspace.com.

The latest iteration of the council’s draft local plan includes 1,000 additional houses on top of the original Hawkwell housing development, which already included 2,600 houses.

The development, proposed by Hallam Land Management and first validated by Cherwell District Council in December 2021, forms part of proposals to extend the land allocation for North-West Bicester.

The original proposals – for a parcel of land adjacent to Lords Lane and South-East of Hawkwell Farm, Bicester – were objected to by 400 members of the public.

Retired teacher Sally Ross, a homeowner in Bucknell, on the boundary of the proposed housing development, said if 1,000 extra houses are approved, it will bring the development right up to the edge of the village (Bucknell).

She, and others who oppose the development, have now printed out 6,000 flyers which they are handing out to people in the area.

 

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This story was written by Matthew Norman, he joined the team in 2022 as a Facebook community reporter.

Matthew covers Bicester and focuses on finding stories from diverse communities.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Matthew.norman@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @OxMailMattN1