West Oxfordshire District Council has launched a key consultation for garden village site, and views are being sought on the Area Action Plan (AAP) for Salt Cross garden village.
The eight-week public consultation was is the culmination of comprehensive work involving public meetings and events along with the compilation of expert reports showcasing the concept, vision and proposals for the garden village.
Once adopted, the AAP will become statutory. It will be used alongside the Local Plan and Eynsham Neighbourhood Plan to determine future proposals at the garden village.
Community representatives, land promoters Grosvenor Britain & Ireland, West Oxfordshire District Council and Oxfordshire County Council have held meetings, events, consultations and activities to listen to ideas from a wide range of interests.
Work on the AAP began in 2018 with an initial issues consultation, followed by preferred options in 2019. These stages have included a three-day design event, a series of community forum meetings and a number of study tours.
Once the consultation is complete, the AAP will be submitted for independent examination with a view to it being adopted early next year.
Alongside the AAP, Grosvenor Britain & Ireland last month lodged an outline planning application for the Salt Cross site. The AAP will provide the next level of detail in the legislative framework against which the recently submitted outline planning application will be measured.
The masterplan sets out provision for 2,200 homes, new primary and secondary schools, sports facilities, parks, allotments and 57,000 sq metres of employment space. The new employment park is designed in particular to attract advanced manufacturing businesses.
Cllr Jeff Haine, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, said: “The AAP is a vital part of the process in seeing the garden village become a reality.
“We would like to hear from as many individuals and groups as possible as we continue to shape our vision for Salt Cross.”
The site was one of 14 garden villages endorsed by the Government in 2017 to help meet the UK’s housing need. Grosvenor Britain and Ireland were appointed in the same year by local landowners to bring forward a planning application for an inclusive and sustainable scheme.
Anyone wanting more information and to take part in the consultation should see:
https://www.westoxon.gov.uk/planning-and-building/planning-policy/salt-cross-garden-village/
The consultation runs until 23 October.
