History and involvement
On a snowy February evening in 2013 around 300 people attended a meeting at the Warriner School that launched the Bloxham Neighbourhood Plan.Over 40 people signed up to working groups to create a vision for Bloxham and identify issues that residents felt strongly about with regard to future village development. Over 600 families returned detailed questionnaires that were subsequently used to generate the Plan policies and around 140 individuals and groups commented on the draft plan at the first consultation.By November 2015 we had submitted our Plan to Cherwell D.C. to go to an authorised examiner.   It passed that examination and on 6^th September 2016 Cherwell executive recommended the plan be put to a village referendum.  It has been announced today (26th Sept 2016) that the referendum will be on Thursday 3rd November 2016

 

The Plan Policies

Cherwell DC have provided the final version of the Plan Document on their website incorporating minor changes from the examiner. Hard copies will be available to see in Bloxham and at Bodicote House before the referendum but below we offer a ‘thumbnail outline’ of the main policies.

The Plan:

• Recognises there will be some ongoing development of the village but favours developments that are small in scale
• Requires that a proportion of homes for purchase are specifically designed to accommodate the needs of those beyond pension age
• Insists upon adequate parking within the boundary of each family home
• Promotes improved provision for pedestrians, cyclists and the mobility impaired
• Requires enhanced attention to drainage to reduce flood-risk
• Requires avoidance of significant adverse impact on residents’ properties or their access to schools, utilities or highways.
• Protects the conservation area, important street scenes and the rural character of the village
• Protects key recreational spaces and the views to and from key public rights of way.

Why your vote is important?

This referendum will be your one opportunity to influence the future development of your village.

You will be asked: “Do you want Cherwell District Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Bloxham to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?”

A strong ‘YES’ vote will ensure the above Plan Policies are incorporated into local planning law.

More Detail  – More detail will be forthcoming from Cherwell D.C shortly.

You can already see all the relevant documents on the Cherwell District Council Website by clicking here. 
This includes an information statement about the organisation of the referedum that you can also download by clicking here

Important Dates

• If you are not already registered the last day you can do so and still take part in this referendum is Tuesday 18 October 2016
• If you require a postal vote or proxy vote in the referendum you must apply for this by Wednesday 19 October 2016
• The Day of the referendum is Thursday 3 November 2016