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Draft Local Plan October 2012
INTRODUCTION
Structure and Content
Status of the Local Plan
Important Influences
Measuring Progress
Reviewing the Local Plan
WEST OXFORDSHIRE IN 2012
Summary of Key Issues & Challenges
WEST OXFORDSHIRE IN 2029 - OUR VISION
Our Vision
Our Core Objectives
OVERALL STRATEGY
Presumption in Favour of Sustainable Development
Locating Development in the Right Places
Prudent Use of Natural Resources
High Quality Design
Supporting Infrastructure
PROVIDING NEW HOMES
Amount and Distribution of Housing
Type and Mix of New Homes
Affordable Housing
Existing Housing
Travelling Communities
SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH
Land for Business
Supporting the Rural Economy
Re-use of Non-Residential Buildings
A Sustainable Tourism Economy
Retention and Development of Local Services and Community Facilities
Town Centres
ENVIRONMENTAL AND HERITAGE ASSETS
Landscape Character
Biodiversity
Public Realm and Green Infrastructure
Sport, Recreation and Children's Play
Decentralised, Renewable and Low Carbon Energy Development
Water and Flood Risk
Environmental Protection
Historic Environment
TRANSPORT AND MOVEMENT
STRATEGY AT THE LOCAL LEVEL
Witney Sub-Area
Carterton Sub-Area
Chipping Norton Sub-Area
Eynsham - Woodstock Sub-Area
Burford - Charlbury Sub-Area
DELIVERY AND MONITORING
APPENDIX 1 - Adopted Local Plan polices (2006) to be replaced
APPENDIX 2 - Built and projected housing completions (2011-2029)
APPENDIX 3 - Delivery and monitoring framework
Draft Local Plan October 2012
Summary of Key Issues & Challenges
Strengths
Weaknesses
Central, accessible location
High quality environment - landscape, built heritage and biodiversity
Strong sense of place
Generally good place to live with a high quality of life
Strong and articulate community groups
Generally vibrant town centres, particularly Witney
Strong and diverse local economy including many small businesses, specialisms in high-tech manufacturing and engineering plus RAF Brize Norton
Relatively skilled workforce with no major skills gaps although perhaps lacking in some technical skills
Relatively low unemployment
No significant areas of dereliction
Oxfordshire Cotswolds - important tourism sector with nationally important attractions
Good variety of formal and informal leisure opportunities
Out-commuting and reliance on the private car and rural road network
Severe traffic congestion in Witney and on Oxford approach roads, particularly A40 east of Witney
Air quality problems within Witney and Chipping Norton
Limited public transport, particularly in more rural areas. Also main towns not directly served by rail
Limited opportunities for safe travel by foot or cycle outside main towns
Disturbance from activity at RAF Brize Norton
House prices higher than national average and very high in some areas with a predominance of larger properties
Some rural areas have poor access to services and facilities plus trend for loss/closure of rural services
Limited access to high speed broadband
Small pockets of rural poverty with lower wages for workers in West Oxon compared to those travelling to work elsewhere
Generally limited or no spare capacity in existing primary schools
Many areas and communities affected by flooding, particular in the south of the District.
Opportunities
Challenges
New development to help secure increased affordable housing provision as well as new supporting infrastructure, including green infrastructure
To attract additional inward investment and achieve a more self-contained local economy
Further investment at RAF Brize Norton
Capitalising on and contributing to the Oxfordshire high tech economy
Improvements in internet and mobile phone technology
New sustainable construction methods and renewable energy schemes
Investment in town centres
Biodiversity Conservation Target Areas
Biomass and woodland management
Sustainable drainage schemes to reduce flood risk
Provision of new green infrastructure through after-use of mineral working
Provision of primary road connection between Carterton/RAF Brize Norton and the A40
Improvements in public transport, walking and cycling facilities to help reduce the use of the private car
Further develop the District's tourism offer
Further develop the role of the Thames for leisure and recreation
An ageing population
Meeting the needs of local communities with access to services and facilities whilst maintaining West Oxfordshire's high environmental quality
Provision of new housing to meet the needs of smaller households and an older population
Delivery of an increased supply of affordable housing
Reduction in our higher than average carbon footprint
Reducing dependence upon travel by private car including long distance travel to nearby urban centres and London
Pressures from growth centres close to West Oxfordshire
Climate change - extreme weather events
Flood risk
Water scarcity
Use of Greenfield land to meet development needs
Satisfactorily accommodating and benefitting from the expansion of RAF Brize Norton
Modernisation of older employment stock
Supporting the agricultural sector and diversification of the rural economy
Mitigating the impacts of sand and gravel extraction
Roll out of high speed broadband in rural areas
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