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Planning
September 8, 2026
Consultation on Councils’ second Joint Local Plan launched
A consultation has launched this week on the South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils’ second Joint Local Plan.
July 30, 2026
Council Leader urges Government’s Oxford Growth Commission to put communities first
The Government established the Oxford Growth Commission to explore how growth across the region can be accelerated. Its recommendations, expected later this year, are likely to influence future decisions affecting South Oxfordshire, including where new homes are built, investment in infrastructure, transport and local services.
South Oxfordshire District Council Leader, Councillor Maggie Filipova-Rivers, has written to the Chair of the Commission, Neale Coleman CBE, setting out the council’s priorities ahead of the Commission’s final report.
July 10, 2026
Land Charges system to launch on Monday 13 July following major upgrade
Joint statement from Cllr Maggie Filipova-Rivers, Leader of South Oxfordshire District Council, and Cllr Bethia Thomas, Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council:
July 3, 2026
Joint Local Plan Examination Hearings
The second stage of public hearings for the South and Vale Joint Local Plan start next week.
June 3, 2026
Next steps for Local Plans
Councillors in South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse will this week review an update to the timetable for the Joint Local Plan and its plans for development in the area.
February 10, 2026
Joint Local Plan procedural meeting 12 February 2026
A Procedural Meeting for the Joint Local Plan will be held on Thursday 12 February 2026 in Meeting Room 1 of Abbey House, Abbey Close, Abingdon, OX14 3JE, starting at 12pm.
December 12, 2025
Joint Local Plan examination hearings could continue after Government announcement
The examination hearings for South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils Joint Local Plan could continue after the government announced it intends to remove the Duty to Co-operate from the plan making process.
October 27, 2025
Leader’s Report
23 October 2025 Joint Local Plan As you know, the councils have been working on the Joint Local Plan for the last 4 years. It encompasses a wide range of new policies about housing mix, zero-carbon buildings, biodiversity as well as ‘cherished’ landscapes and dark skies. Many of these policies are ground-breaking nationally, and all […]
October 8, 2025
Councils to take positive steps to represent communities despite concerns with Inspectors’ Local Plan decision
South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils have written an open letter in which they have stated the Planning Inspectors’ conclusions on their Joint Local Plan were unwarranted and lacking coherent explanation.
October 1, 2025
The councils’ response to the Planning Inspectors’ findings on the Joint Local Plan
A statement on behalf of South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils.
