A note from SODC:

Requiring sustainable development; protecting and enhancing our countryside; setting higher energy efficiency standards for new buildings; and prioritising more sustainable transport options – these are all benefits planned for South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse, and everyone is being invited to join the conversation.

Innovative draft policies to address local challenges and unlock future opportunities across the two districts have been published for community feedback, as part of the councils’ work to deliver their Joint Local Plan 2041.

The six-week consultation launched on 10 January and will run until 11.59pm on 21 February 2024. Visit southandvale.gov.uk/JLP to find out more and have your say.

Among many topics the Joint Local Plan covers are some updated, new and innovative approaches such as:

• More of the housing built in the districts to be affordable housing to help those struggling to get on the property ladder.
• Setting ambitious targets, beyond the national standards, to ensure developments positively contribute to the local environment and wildlife, and deliver on climate action.
• New policies to identify and enhance our most tranquil places, and protect our dark skies by minimising light pollution for both residents and wildlife.

The two councils are working together to deliver the Joint Local Plan, which will set out what development should be allowed and where, help guide decision-making for planning applications, and set standards for environmental protection, sustainability, water quality and much more, for the years until 2041.

Using the interactive online hub, users can navigate through the Joint Local Plan topics that matter most to them; view proposed approaches, draft policies and supporting evidence documents, and explore interactive maps to see site allocations, where policies apply and more.

There are two ways for residents to share their feedback online depending on how much detail they want to get into:

1. The Joint Local Plan in a Nutshell survey features short summaries of the councils’ proposed options across key topics to help make it quick and easy to take part.
2. There’s also a Preferred Options document survey for those wanting to comment on specific policy areas and delve into the details of the draft policies to provide a more in-depth response.

The councils will also be out and about across the districts during January and February, with a host of local events. People can come and find out more about the plan, chat with council officers and members, ask questions and find out how to give feedback.

There will also be paper copies of consultation documents around the districts’ libraries, as well as at Abbey House, Abingdon, the Beacon, Wantage, and Cornerstone Arts Centre and Great Western Park District Neighbourhood Community Centre in Didcot, giving residents less comfortable with the internet the chance to take part as well.

In-person events: 

Drop in to one of our in-person events to chat with us, ask questions and join the conversation. Find out more on the consultation webpage:

Location	Date	Time	Venue
Sandford-on-Thames	Saturday 20 January	1pm – 4pm	Sandford Village Hall, Henley Road, OX4 4YN
Shippon	Wednesday 24 January	3pm – 8pm	Shippon Village Hall, Barrow Road, opposite Prince of Wales pub, OX13 6JQ
Wallingford	Thursday 25 January	3pm – 8pm	Centre 70, Wallingford Community Association Hall, off Kinecroft, Goldsmiths Lane, OX10 0DT
Henley-on-Thames	Saturday 27 January	11am – 4pm	Henley Town Hall, Market Place, Henley RG9 2AG
Thame	Tuesday 30 January	11am – 4pm	Candelo Lounge, 102 High St, Thame, OX9 3DU
Wantage	Wednesday 31 January	11am – 4pm	The Beacon, Community Centre, Portway, Wantage OX12 9BX
Abingdon	Saturday 3 February	11am – 4pm	Pablo Lounge, Abbey Shopping Centre, 1-3 Bury Street, Abingdon, OX14 3QY
Crowmarsh Gifford	Monday 5 February	11am – 4pm	Crowmarsh Village Hall, Benson Lane, Crowmarsh Gifford, OX10 8ED
Faringdon	Tuesday 6 February	11am – 4pm	Faringdon Town Hall, The Pump House, 5 Market Place, Faringdon, SN7 7HL
Didcot	Saturday 10 February	11am – 4pm	Berro Lounge, Orchard Shopping Centre, 44 Orchard Street, Didcot, OX11 7LG