Earlier this month Cherwell District Council (CDC) released a consultation version of its local plan which includes an allocation of 50 new dwellings for Bletchingdon with 44 designated for a site north of Dutchy Field. The Parish Council only became aware of the precise details of this allocation when we received the document in early January. This allocation resulted from a “call for sites” by CDC, a process conducted approximately two years ago, during which developers proposed locations for new housing. Like all other Parish Councils, Bletchingdon had the option to suggest sites in its emerging Neighbourhood Plan. This would have to have been a rigorous process conducted independently with a defined set of criteria. On advice and in light of the considerable cost involved it declined to undertake this work and agreed to remain neutral in the process. CDC appraised the two sites that had been put forward by developers, on a number of criteria and have currently only included one in their current plan.

It is important to note that the Parish Council is not the planning authority and can only comment on a proposed development once a planning application has been submitted.

Individuals and organisations are invited to 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.

Some further information is on the village website https://www.bletchingdon-pc.org.uk/neighbourhood-planning/