What’s the Neighbourhood Plan for?

The District Council’s updated Local Plan seems likely to impose a relatively small number of houses on Bloxham in the short-term –  but plans and governments change. We would be fools not to assume there WILL be pressure for further development and, however big or small that is we want a major say in the shape it takes. This is what our Neighbourhood Plan is about.

What happens next

There are three stages to the plan:

1. Clearly set out the present situation.
2. Explore options for the future.
3. Choose which of these options are sustainable and carry the support of residents.

The first stage is well underway. We increasingly have good information about the demographics and the  situation of our schools, health provision, recreational facilities, traffic, utilities, and of the general make-up and ‘sense of the place’ that is Bloxham.  Around late October /early November we will organise a whole village event  where you can check out our findings and add your own opinions.
Before the year end we will have started  part 2 by creating a design statement that explores general options for future development which retains the ‘rural feel’ that many residents value. We will also set out to prioritise the use of any accompanying funding for improved recreation facilities.   In view of the (hopefully) small number of new houses in the updated local plan this may turn out to be  a mixture of general principles with some more  specific land based recommendations.
Finally, villagers will get a further chance to offer feedback before we arrive at a final version of the plan upon which there weill be a referendum.

 How can I help?

There are two things:
Firstly if you are running any village events – either regular or one-off – where we might distribute information or chat to people then let us know by emailing here or phone John 720513.

Secondly – We are currently mapping the entire village in terms of its style, use, age etc. and are supplementing this with a photographic survey. For this purpose we are not interested in snapshots of your family and the dog(!)  What we are especially interested in aspects of the housing and landscape  (e.g. views or styles) to highlight things we should actively defend  – or maybe aspects we might seek to improve on.
If you are handy with a digital camera or smart phone you could email us either views of your own neighbourhood or things you especially like or dislike (use the button below to send a copy in jpg format to our dropbox if your photo is too big to email). We can then add it to the collection –  but remember to let us know who you are and where it was taken.  All ages can take part!

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If you have any especially interesting old photos of the village buildings let us know. We can scan them and quickly let you have them back. (Phone John 720513.)