Woodcote Neighbourhood Plan

The village of Woodcote is wholly within the Chilterns AONB in South Oxfordshire. Since the 1950's it has been subjected to significant expansion with the population growing by some 400%.

Village surveys in 1984, 1991 and 2000, and for the 2008 Parish Plan, consistently show that the great majority of people like living in Woodcote, value both the rural feel of the village and the countryside surrounding it and feel very strongly that further development should not be allowed.

There are development pressures however. The lack of affordable housing means that young people have to move away and the age profile of the village is steadily rising. Also in May 2012 the finalisation of the District Council's Core Strategy means that Woodcote will have to accept more houses between now and 2027.

The Parish Council are keen to ensure that new housing meets the needs of the village for the next 10-15 years. To do this they successfully applied for Government funds to develop a Neighbourhood Plan. Such a Plan allows the village to specify what sorts of houses are wanted and where they should go. It is statutory and considerably strengthens the Parish Council’s ability to guide development in Woodcote in a way that reflects the priorities and needs expressed in the Appraisals and Parish Plan. It is the best means available to control future building in the village. It is a partnership between the District and Parish Councils in which the Plan is developed by the village for the village and must be approved in a referendum by those who live in the village.

Building the Plan is a substantial task so the Parish Council has formed a Neighbourhood Plan Steering committee to produce an initial draft for their consideration. The Steering Group are keen to hear from everybody and to keep everyone up to date. A regular series of articles is, and has been, appearing in the Woodcote Correspondent and there will be public exhibition and workshops over the coming months.