Bletchingdon Parish Council have made the following statement with regards to potential future housing developments within the village.
We would like to reassure you that at this point in time, there are no submitted, or approved, planning applications that will result in a large number of houses being imminently built.
However, the Local Plan, published by Cherwell District Council does discuss an area of 2.9 hectares to the west of Springwell Hill to accommodate 44 dwellings. This area was assessed as suitable for development by CDC, according to their existing planning policies. Upon advice, the Parish Council chose to remain neutral as to the choice of site.
The Local Plan outlines the long-term development strategy for our district, focusing on sustainable growth, housing, infrastructure, and environmental conservation through to 2042. This strategy has allocated a total of 50 houses to be provided in Bletchingdon, Hampton Gay & Poyle.
Over 2 years ago a “call for sites” requesting landowners to put forward land to be considered for inclusion in the Local Plan was conducted. That resulted in the land to the west of Springwell Hill plus a second parcel of land to the south of Station Road being put forward. The second plot is not currently mentioned in the Plan.
The Local Plan is currently in the public consultation phase, and could change, so we encourage all residents to review and provide their comments. This is a critical time for your voice to be heard and to contribute to shaping the future of our community. You can submit comments on the proposals to CDC before noon on February 25, 2025. This can be done by going to https://cherwell.citizenspace.com/planning-policy/cherwell-local-plan-review-2042/ where the whole plan can be viewed.
We understand that development is inevitable, and we cannot stop it from happening. However, we can influence and shape it to ensure that it aligns with the community’s needs and preferences. This is why the Parish Council is supporting the creation of a neighbourhood plan. The neighbourhood plan will give us more control over the type of local development and ensure that the village’s views are heard.
The neighbourhood plan allows residents to have a direct say in shaping the future of our village. It will enable us to protect the aspects of our community that we value most while accommodating necessary growth. We believe that by working together, we can create a plan that benefits everyone. Further information is available on the village website: https://www.bletchingdon-pc.org.uk/neighbourhood-planning/.
We invite you to get involved with the neighbourhood plan and contribute your ideas and insights. Your participation is crucial in creating a plan that truly represents our community’s vision for the future. Together, we can ensure that any development in our village is thoughtful, sustainable, and in line with our shared goals.
Thank you for your attention and involvement in this important matter.