Councillors at South Oxfordshire District Council are scheduled to consider a report regarding the progress of its Local Plan in meetings on Thursday 5 March.
Progress on the Local Plan had been held up following a temporary direction issued by the Secretary of State, Robert Jenrick MP, in October last year, which prevented the council from taking action in relation to the adoption of the plan.
Following discussions between council representatives and officials from the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), the Secretary of State has sent a letter to Cllr Sue Cooper (118.7 KB) , Leader of South Oxfordshire District Council, in which he stated he is using government powers in Section 27 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 directing the council to progress the plan through examination to be adopted by December this year, and for senior council officers to report monthly to MHCLG officials on progress of the plan.
Cllr Cooper, said: “It’s disappointing the Secretary of State has felt it necessary to intervene, however the council remains committed to working constructively with the MHCLG and the Secretary of State as well as engaging productively with our partnerships across Oxfordshire.”
The Cabinet and Council meetings will go ahead as scheduled, where councillors will receive a verbal update from senior officers.
Councillors cannot consider the options set out in the officer’s report published with the meeting agenda due to the Secretary of State’s new direction.
