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Consultation opens on how we engage with communities about planning

Your views are needed on how we engage with you about the councils’ planning processes.

South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils are preparing a Joint Statement of Community Involvement (SCI).

The joint SCI sets out who, how and when the councils will engage with local communities as part of the planning process. It covers both consultations on planning applications and also on the development of local plans which guide where development will be supported in the future.  

Cllr Emily Smith, Leader of the Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “We want to make it as easy as possible for people to get involved with the planning process.

“This document sets out how we plan to work positively and proactively with our communities, and I’d encourage everyone to get involved to ensure their voices are heard.”

Cllr Anne-Marie Simpson, South Oxfordshire District Council Cabinet Member for Planning, said: “We’re committed to ensuring you know what we’re doing – we strive to be clear and transparent in our processes – and the SCI reflects this too.

“Your views and local knowledge are vital in planning, and we want to make sure we give you access to the right information as easily and early as possible using methods that work for you.”

We’ll take on board your comments on the draft SCI before bringing a final version before our councils to be adopted. Once adopted the joint SCI will replace the existing South Oxfordshire SCI and the Vale of White Horse SCI.

You can give your comments on the draft Statement of Community Involvement until midnight on Wednesday 20 October 2021.

You can find the draft document on our South or Vale websites.

The quickest and easiest way to comment is to use our online comment form.

If you are unable to comment online, you can also:

  • Email: planning.policy@southandvale.gov.uk
  • Write to Planning Policy, South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils and post to ‘Freepost SOUTH AND VALE CONSULTATIONS’ (no other address information or stamp is needed).