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Council services over Christmas and New Year 2025/26

A guide to council services over the Christmas and New Year period when the council offices are closed to the public. 

Planning

Collage of images from South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse, including landscapes, wind turbines, historic buildings, and towns and villages, and stock photos to represent planning and green energy.

August 16, 2024

The next steps for Councils’ Joint Local Plan

Following two hugely successful public consultations, which saw South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District councils receive a Highly Commended award at the Planning Resource Awards 2024, the councils have now set out the next steps for their Joint Local Plan (JLP).

Collage of images from South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse, including landscapes, wind turbines, historic buildings, and towns and villages, and stock photos to represent planning and green energy.

April 12, 2024

Innovative engagement helps hundreds of new voices to shape our districts’ future

Well over a thousand individuals and organisations have shared their thoughts on an emerging plan for the future of South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse. Their comments will contribute to the development of a new Joint Local Plan, which will guide planning decisions in the districts until 2041. South Oxfordshire and Vale of White […]

February 14, 2024

New planning rules mean good news for nature recovery

Biodiversity Net Gain – which came into law nationally on 12 February 2024 – is not a new concept for the councils, whose officers have been working on similar approaches to enhancing the wildlife value of new developments since becoming the first authorities in the UK to successfully secure a BNG agreement in 2013.

November 18, 2023

Preparation underway for next stage of Joint Local Plan

Innovative new planning policies to help two Oxfordshire districts reach their full potential and address challenges they face, are on the local agenda – and you’ll soon be able to have your say. South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils are preparing to launch a second round of consultation early next year to […]

August 18, 2023

Have your say on our landscapes and what’s changing them

A new study has launched to better understand, protect and enhance the unique landscapes across South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse and you’re invited to have your say. South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils are preparing a new Landscape Character Assessment and are calling for residents, businesses and visitors to share […]

Concept image of proposed council headquarters at Didcot Gateway. View from across Station Road by the railway station entrance

June 23, 2023

Latest images unveiled for new council HQ

A new building that will kickstart the revitalisation of Didcot Gateway is now one step closer, with updated images of the proposed council headquarters released today and a formal planning application expected soon.  The building will be the first step to bring new life into this historically neglected site, providing more confidence for future business […]

house image

February 8, 2023

Hundreds use new website to help shape districts’ future

A new interactive website helped ensure communities had their say on the future of South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse. The website was created by the two district councils to ask people their thoughts on their Joint Local Plan. The plan will help guide the councils when deciding on new housing and jobs […]

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January 5, 2023

Housing developers pay their way to improve community facilities

Developers in South Oxfordshire will now be required to contribute more to the local community, thanks to an update to the charge known as the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) that was adopted by South Oxfordshire District Council in December.  Under the new CIL Charging Schedule, developers building new homes, supermarkets and retail warehouses in the […]

Row of Houses

December 21, 2022

Time to plan the right future for our districts 

South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils have agreed a revised timetable for the creation of their Joint Local Plan.  Both authorities are working to create a Joint Local Plan, which will seek to deliver the councils’ ambitions for zero-carbon, sustainable development and genuinely affordable homes in the districts up to the year […]