Consultation on Councils’ second Joint Local Plan launched
Published on Tuesday 8 September 2026.
A consultation has launched this week on the South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils’ second Joint Local Plan.
A local plan sets out how development will be planned and delivered over time to meet the current and future needs of people living and working in a particular area. It guides where development should go (and where is shouldn’t) including new housing and employment, as well as identifying the supporting infrastructure needed.
The two councils are working on a joint plan that covers both districts.
This stage of the process, known as a ‘scoping consultation’ is an initial step to get an idea of what communities, businesses and the planning industry think the plan should include and how the councils should approach future engagement.
This consultation does not include any proposed policies or strategies for the plan as the councils are at such an early stage in the plan making process.
The consultation runs from Tuesday 8 September until Tuesday 29 September at 11.59pm. People can take part online here: www.southandvale.gov.uk/JLP2-scoping-consultation
Visit www.southandvale.gov.uk/JLP2-scoping for more background information on the Joint Local Plan 2045 (JLP2) and all the ways to take part in the consultation.
Why two plans?
New government regulations mean that at the same time as working towards adopting the first Joint Local Plan, the councils are required to start preparing the next plan for the area, which would run to 2045. This is known as ‘twin-tracking’.
This needs to be in line with the government’s new requirements for preparing, examining and adopting plans in 30 months, which the councils must start by 31 October 2026.
The councils’ first Joint Local Plan is currently being examined by government-appointed inspectors. The plan was submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination in December 2024. The first stage of inspector-led hearing sessions took place in June 2025, the second stage in July 2026, and a further third stage is expected this autumn.
Cllr Anne-Marie Simpson, South Oxfordshire District Council Cabinet Member for Planning Policy, said: “This initial consultation is one of the first steps in a long journey ahead – I encourage people to find out more and have their say on what they think our next plan should include.
“Although it might seem unusual to start a new plan whilst the first plan is still being examined, due to new government regulations we have to prepare ourselves for the next local plan. Many other councils around the country preparing their last plan under the previous arrangements are in the same position as us – so we are by no means unique in running two plans simultaneously.”
Cllr Andy Foulsham, Vale of White Horse District Council Cabinet Member for Policy and Programmes, added: “Our first joint local plan is robust, innovative, forward-thinking and based on strong community engagement. We want our next plan to match this – which is why it is important for local people to get involved at this early consultation stage and let us know their thoughts.
“Working on two local plans at once is a challenge – but on the strength of our previous work on the first Joint Local Plan, we will rise to the occasion and bring the same dedication and determination to see it through.”
For more information on the first Joint Local Plan (JLP1) visit www.southandvale.gov.uk/joint-local-plan-2041-examination
