Cherwell notes adoption of Bloxham Plan – Dec 2016

Cherwell D.C. has noted on it’s website the adoption of the Bloxham Neighbourhood Plan into the local planning framework with the following text:

Plan for Bloxham becomes council policy

Bloxham villagers can exert more influence over planning decisions made in the village following the ‘making’ of an important document.

At a meeting of Cherwell District Council on 19 December, the Neighbourhood Plan for Bloxham was made part of Cherwell’s Statutory Development Plan.

Neighbourhood planning gives communities the power to help shape their local area. The ‘making’ (or adoption) of the Bloxham Plan by Cherwell means that it can help to determine planning applications in the parish.

Cllr Colin Clarke, Cherwell’s lead member for planning, said: “The Neighbourhood Plan for Bloxham was written by the village residents for the village, and with this adoption by Cherwell, it will now help protect the village’s heritage, while helping to shape the kinds of development that they want to see.

“In last month’s referendum, the overwhelming majority of voters backed the plan. It contains a range of objectives that the village is seeking to achieve through the planning process, covering areas such as housing, the economy and community cohesion, and we look forward to seeing how the plan helps them do this.”

The Plan was first drafted by Bloxham Parish Council in 2013, with the assistance of the Bloxham Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group and working groups, and has since been developed through consultation and an external examination.

It reflects interests raised by residents and others including delivering new housing whilst retaining the village’s character.