The Parish Clerk, 5, East Street, Fritwell, Bicester, Oxon OX27 7PX

1FRITWELL PARISH COUNCIL

The Parish Clerk, 5, East Street, Fritwell, Bicester, Oxon OX27 7PX

Tel: 01869 345930email:

11th March 2016

Planning Policy Team

Strategic Planning and the Economy

Cherwell District Council

Bodicote House

Bodicote

Banbury

OX15 4AA

Dear Sir/Madam

Cherwell Local Plan 2011 – 2031 (Part 1) Partial Review – Oxford’s Unmet Housing Need

Fritwell Parish Council would like make the following representations regarding the above. Firstly, we would say how very difficult it has been to meet the deadline for responses to the Local Plan Partial Review, Oxford’s Unmet Housing Need. Fritwell Parish Council has sought the views of as many people in the Parish as possible and as you will appreciate this takes time.

To comment:

Question 1: Is 3,500 homes a reasonable working assumption for Cherwell in seeking to meet Oxford’s unmet housing need?

The clear message that this Parish Council is hearing from its engagement with the residents is ‘No’. There seems to be no evidence upon which to base this figure and until the actual scale of need has been identified (based on up to date, transparent evidence), how can a working figure be arrived at. The current figure seems to have been arrived at by simply splitting the numbers between the five neighbouring local authorities. Nor does there seem to have been any consultation with local communities as to whether this figure is suitable in terms of actual unmet need. More should have been done prior to this consultation to ascertain whether the district has the ability to accommodate this additional growth in a sustainable way.

Question 2: Should additional housing in Cherwell to meet Oxford’s needs be supported by additional employment generating development?

Again, for the reasons set out above in Question 1 this Parish has, at this time, not been made aware of any evidence that justifies additional housing for Oxford City within Cherwell District.

Question 3: What are Oxford’s key issues that we need to consider in making a significant contribution to meeting the City’s unmet housing need?

This question seems to assume that Cherwell will accept a ‘significant’ number of houses in response to Oxford City’s unmet need. At the moment there seems to be no detailed evidence on which to identify such a need. Indeed, we understand that the final report of the Oxfordshire Growth Board has yet to be published. It would surely be prudent to ascertain what is best for any settlement in Cherwell and their ability to accommodate additional development before assuming numbers.

Oxford City must ensure that its identified need is based on current evidence and that an up to date assessment of the capacity within its boundary is undertaken. The question must be asked why should neighbouring authorities (including Cherwell) be the first port of call for Oxford City’s unmet needs. Oxford City should endeavour as far as possible to meet their needs and look again at urban regeneration/intensification and the release of appropriate sites located within the green belt.

When this assessment of Oxford City’s ability to accommodate growth has been completed, then and only then should neighbouring authorities be expected to consider whether they have the ability for extra development. Why should the neighbouring local authorities be expected to meet Oxford City’s needs?

Question 4: What are the key principles or goals that additional growth in the District should be aiming to achieve?

Question 5: What should the focused vision for Oxford’s unmet need contain?

It seems to this Parish Council that these questions assume acceptance of Cherwell accepting a substantial level of growth to address Oxford City’s unmet needs.

Question 6: Do you agree that the ‘area of search’ or plan area for the Partial Review document should be well related to Oxford City?

This Parish Council does not support this consultation or the extent of Oxford City’s unmet housing need as to date no need, based on hard evidence, has been established. This would seem to be a hypothetical question! However, once a need has been identified, surely such a need should be met as close to possible to where it is arising.

Question 7: What factors should influence the ‘area of search’ or plan area for the Partial Review document?

Assuming that evidence becomes available to support Oxford City’s unmet housing need, then this Parish feels very strongly that the need should be met as close as possible to Oxford City. This could include land within the green belt although a review should be implemented to ascertain which land would be best suited to meet the need. Consideration should be given to traffic/commuter flows to both Oxford and London.

Question 8: Would a district-wide area be appropriate?

This Parish very strongly objects to a district wide approach. Housing need for the District up until 2031 has been set and meeting this need will require a very challenging rate of delivery. To apply a district wide approach will increase levels which will be beyond support.

Question 9: Should an area based on the Oxford Green Belt be considered?

Definitely yes. As previously said an assessment of green belt land would be particularly appropriate because the green belt has remained unchanged since the 1970s. Although this Parish would not want development at any cost it should not be assumed that neighbouring authorities will accommodate Oxford City’s growth. Once a green belt review has been completed it may become apparent that there is potential to provide areas for development.

Question 10: Should a specific housing supply be identified for meeting Oxford’s needs with it’s own five year supply of deliverable sites?

Yes. It is essential that Cherwell District Council ensure that its own housing needs are met in full. If Cherwell District Council does not have a five year land supply because of Oxford City’s unmet need it will put all Cherwell’s settlements at risk of speculative developers. We do not wish to see the housing land supply put in jeopardy to meet this need; in fact there should be a clear separation of Cherwell’s housing needs and Oxford City’s unmet needs.

Question 11: How could Cherwell ensure that a five year supply for Oxford is managed without the existing Cherwell strategy and its housing requirements being adversely affected?

This Parish cannot answer this question; however, it is concerned that Oxford City’s unmet need for housing does not weaken Cherwell’s ability to have a sufficient supply of sites available to meet its five year responsibilities.

Question 12: Do you have any comments on the housing issues identified above?

As already stated the scale of unmet needs still has to be justified; however once this need has been vigorously established then it must be met as near as possible to where it arises.

With reference to Category A settlements, it should be recognised that they may not have capacity to accommodate unmet needs from Oxford City. Indeed, Category A villages have made significant contributions to development (750 houses in LP1).

Question 13: Are there any additional issues that Cherwell District Council needs to address?

No

Question 14: What are the specific housing objectives for meeting Oxford’s unmet needs within Cherwell that we need to consider?

Fritwell Parish Council cannot provide a response to this question except to say that Cherwell should not be a ‘dumping ground’ for Oxford City’s unmet needs, especially if the City has not considered all reasonable options to meet their own needs.

Question 15: What locations should the Council be considering for the identification of strategic housing sites to meet Oxford’s unmet needs?

Again, this Parish would say that any need should be accommodated as close to where it arises as possible. The cost of accommodating any unmet need should not undermine the Local Plan Part 1.

Question 16: Are there any transport issues you would like to raise?

Feedback from our consultations detailed huge concern regarding traffic volume/rat runs in the parish. Of course, more houses will only add to this.

Question 17: How do these issues affect the potential development locations to meet Oxford’s unmet needs?

It is critical that improvements necessary to support any growth (although still unproven) are implemented to lessen the potential impact of additional traffic. Although improvements may be possible they should certainly not be at the expense of village life.

Question 18: Are there any infrastructure issues you would like to raise?

Fritwell has a very old sewage system; indeed any replacement part has to be individually made meaning that there is very often tankers removing waste from the system. The Parish has had many complaints about the lack of broadband slots; there are worries about cemetery provision and in certain areas of the village the drains overflow on a regular basis.

Question 19: How do these issues affect the potential development locations to meet Oxford’s unmet needs?

There is the crucial question of whether our existing infrastructure will be made worse if further new homes over and above those already agreed need to be accommodated within Cherwell District.

Questions 20 – 27

In view of the comments already made, no response to these questions is made.

In conclusion, Fritwell Parish Council has tried to demonstrate in their answers the real concern that the parishioners have voiced regarding Oxford City’s unmet housing need. We do not feel that this need has been adequately justified nor has the potential impact of accommodating additional housing been fully estimated.

Yours faithfully

Fritwell Parish Council