Policy Changes Highlight Importance of Neighbourhood Plan

Thame residents have less than a week to comment on the Thame Neighbourhood Plan (TNP2), which is currently at its last consultation. 

With the Government recently announcing a series of changes to policy aimed at delivering new housing and infrastructure, it is more important than ever that Thame residents make their thoughts known on the Neighbourhood Plan. 

Whilst there appears to be no immediate threat to Thame in terms of development, it is inevitable that future infrastructure or development changes will either directly or indirectly affect Thame.

The Thame Neighbourhood Plan (TNP2), if adopted, would ensure the town would have a say in the planning process.
 
Some of the Government’s suggested policy changes include:

• Bringing Back Mandatory Housing Targets
  Dropped in late 2022, the reinstatement of housing targets means the South Oxfordshire District Council would have to identify new housing numbers using a method set by the Government. 

• A Review of Major Wind Farm Schemes
  The restrictions introduced in 2015 that meant it was very difficult to bring new applications for land-based wind turbines forward have already been removed. The Government has said it will look at how major wind farm schemes are given permission and how communities will be able to benefit from them.

• National Planning Policy & Guidance Changes
  The Government will soon be consulting on changes to national planning policy and guidance. In the meantime, they will be instructing Local Authorities on how they expect them to consider major planning applications.

• Planning Application Decisions
  Departments responsible for planning, energy, and transport will be instructed to give more weight to the benefits of these infrastructure items against matters like landscape, the environment, heritage, etc. when deciding planning applications.

Neighbourhood plans provide communities with an opportunity to set out a positive vision for how they want their community to develop over time.

The Thame Neighbourhood Plan (TNP2) is the Plan that Thame built after three years and three local consultations. It is now in the hands of the South Oxfordshire District Council, and after this current six week consultation, will be forwarded to an independent examiner. 

The District Council has invited residents to comment on the Plan, to demonstrate support for things in the Plan that they like, and to comment on the things they would like changed.

Comments must be sent to the District Council by 11:59 pm on Thursday 25 July 2024. Full details can be found on SODC’s website.