Great news for the Vale's Local Plan The Vale of White Horse District Council has overcome a major hurdle in delivering it’s new Local Plan. The inspector looking into the Vale’s Local Plan has said that, subject to some modifications, he is likely to find that the plan is sound and can be adopted. 
The inspector also concluded that the plan shows the Vale has enough land for seven years’ worth of housing based on the district’s current needs, more than the minimum of five years’ worth needed for local policies to apply when making decisions on planning applications. This is an important cushion to ensure we maintain a five year supply even where there are delays by developers in bringing sites forward. There are four areas where the Inspector has the Council to bring forward modifications: 
At last night's Vale Planning Committee permission was granted for the West Way shopping centre redevelopment. After the original plans were rejected by the Council the developers, Mace, have been through a detailed engagement process to try to address the concerns raised by the community. The final plans were approved last night providing a new shops, cafes and restaurants; new homes and student accommodation, car parking and new community facilities. Grant funding now available 
The Vale is keen to support local communities, and is now accepting applications for the latest round of funding for community facilities or services. The funding can go towards all kinds of projects, like new outdoor play equipment, sports hall showers, as well as start-up funding for new community services. The current round closes for applications at 4pm on 29 July. For more information, visit www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/grants or contact the team at [email protected] or on 01235 422405. Spotlight on places to eat and drink in Wantage and Grove The range of great places to eat and drink in Wantage and Grove are showcased in a new series of short films that give residents and visitors an insight into the choices available locally. 
There are seven short films in the new series – two on eating out, focusing on restaurants, three on pubs and bars, and two on cafés. The new films series follows an earlier “Shop Local” set that focused on Wantage’s independent town centre shops. The videos were created by Wantage resident Eloise Rees who has her own films venture, Oxford Digital Films. Click here to view the films on YouTube. Why Local Unitary Councils would be better for Oxfordshire A new video has been launched explaining why Oxfordshire would be better off with Local Unitary Councils. You can view the video on YouTube by clicking here or on our dedicated devolution website www.oxfordshire.vision.
Oxfordshire’s district councils are working together on proposals that include £1.4bn of infrastructure funding from the government, which would be used to unlock £6bn of investment in the county. The county covers 1,000 sq miles and has nearly 700,000 residents across diverse communities, from rural areas and market towns like Chipping Norton and Henley to urban Blackbird Leys and Rose Hill. The vision is to create locally-elected unitary councils to administer all services for the area – without the need for Oxfordshire County Council – and be able to gear those services to the local needs and requirements. When strategic decisions are needed – such as tackling the congestion on the county’s main roads or working with hospitals and GPs to join up health and social care services – the locally-elected leaders of the District Unitaries will work together through a combined authority. This builds on the existing joint working of Oxfordshire’s Growth Board. With responsibility for all services in their local area, the new councils would be able to build on the strong record of the district councils to better tackle the big challenges facing Oxfordshire: improving education and skills to help people get jobs, improving our roads, building more homes, ensuring children and vulnerable people are protected, and improving the health and well-being of residents. Later this summer, the districts will be seeking the views of members of the public through forums and online surveys.
The inspector also concluded that the plan shows the Vale has enough land for seven years’ worth of housing based on the district’s current needs, more than the minimum of five years’ worth needed for local policies to apply when making decisions on planning applications. This is an important cushion to ensure we maintain a five year supply even where there are delays by developers in bringing sites forward. There are four areas where the Inspector has the Council to bring forward modifications: - The Inspector has agreed that there are exceptional circumstances to amend the Green Belt for the allocation of 1,510 new homes North of Abingdon and in Kennington but he has asked that for the time being the Council to maintain the remainder of the Green Belt where housing isn't currently allocated.
- The Inspector has asked the Council to remove the proposed housing sites in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) but he has explained that there is no need to replace these sites at this stage .
- The Inspector has asked the Council to remove the proposed site in East Hanney as being undeliverable.
- He has also asked some questions about a policy relating to the Botley Central Area, which the council will clarify in its letter back to the inspector.
At last night's Vale Planning Committee permission was granted for the West Way shopping centre redevelopment. After the original plans were rejected by the Council the developers, Mace, have been through a detailed engagement process to try to address the concerns raised by the community. The final plans were approved last night providing a new shops, cafes and restaurants; new homes and student accommodation, car parking and new community facilities. Grant funding now available The Vale is keen to support local communities, and is now accepting applications for the latest round of funding for community facilities or services. The funding can go towards all kinds of projects, like new outdoor play equipment, sports hall showers, as well as start-up funding for new community services. The current round closes for applications at 4pm on 29 July. For more information, visit www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/grants or contact the team at [email protected] or on 01235 422405. Spotlight on places to eat and drink in Wantage and Grove The range of great places to eat and drink in Wantage and Grove are showcased in a new series of short films that give residents and visitors an insight into the choices available locally. There are seven short films in the new series – two on eating out, focusing on restaurants, three on pubs and bars, and two on cafés. The new films series follows an earlier “Shop Local” set that focused on Wantage’s independent town centre shops. The videos were created by Wantage resident Eloise Rees who has her own films venture, Oxford Digital Films. Click here to view the films on YouTube. Why Local Unitary Councils would be better for Oxfordshire A new video has been launched explaining why Oxfordshire would be better off with Local Unitary Councils. You can view the video on YouTube by clicking here or on our dedicated devolution website www.oxfordshire.vision.Oxfordshire’s district councils are working together on proposals that include £1.4bn of infrastructure funding from the government, which would be used to unlock £6bn of investment in the county. The county covers 1,000 sq miles and has nearly 700,000 residents across diverse communities, from rural areas and market towns like Chipping Norton and Henley to urban Blackbird Leys and Rose Hill. The vision is to create locally-elected unitary councils to administer all services for the area – without the need for Oxfordshire County Council – and be able to gear those services to the local needs and requirements. When strategic decisions are needed – such as tackling the congestion on the county’s main roads or working with hospitals and GPs to join up health and social care services – the locally-elected leaders of the District Unitaries will work together through a combined authority. This builds on the existing joint working of Oxfordshire’s Growth Board. With responsibility for all services in their local area, the new councils would be able to build on the strong record of the district councils to better tackle the big challenges facing Oxfordshire: improving education and skills to help people get jobs, improving our roads, building more homes, ensuring children and vulnerable people are protected, and improving the health and well-being of residents. Later this summer, the districts will be seeking the views of members of the public through forums and online surveys.