Local Plan Part 2 submitted for independent examination
Vale of White Horse District Council has submitted the Local Plan 2031 Part 2, to the Secretary of State for independent examination.
The Plan, and its supporting studies, set out the council’s vision for the district until 2031. Together they identify where housing, retail, and employment land should be located, as well as the infrastructure required to support this growth, such as new roads, schools, health services and sewerage.
Local Plan 2031 Part 2 will complement Part 1, which was adopted in December 2016, by detailing policies and locations for housing to meet the Vale’s proportion of Oxford’s unmet housing need.
The council is mindful that the government is working on guidelines entitled ‘Planning for the right homes in the right places’, which considers how housing need is calculated. However, the council is required to work on the existing housing needs figures until any new government guidelines are finalised and published, and must also consider economic growth, affordable housing and the need for new infrastructure.
The Inspector will set a timetable for a series of public examination hearings, expected to be held later this year. The public can attend the examination to witness the proceedings, however only those invited by the Inspector will be able to participate in the hearings. Dates and a venue for the examination will be confirmed after an Inspector has been appointed.
For more information about the Vale of White Horse Local Plan see whitehorsedc.gov.uk/localplanpart2.
Vale leads the way on autonomous vehicles
Government green-lights first use of autonomous vehicles on UK roads
• UK’s first trial of autonomous vehicles on public roads will begin in the Vale of White Horse
• Trial funded by Government’s innovation agency, Innovate UK
• Project seeks to reduce car usage within a large business park by half
The first use of fully connected and autonomous vehicles (CAV) on public roads is set to take place in Oxfordshire, following the announcement of government funding into a trial project.
Innovate UK has announced the award of £2.5 million to trial self-driving vehicles in and around Milton Park, the large, high-tech business and science hub near Didcot. The vehicles will travel between private roads at Milton Park and the public roads that link the site with nearby transport services.
The 30-month MultiCAV project will be undertaken by a consortium of organisations with different sector backgrounds who are investing in the development of autonomous vehicles, and led by UK transport operator FirstGroup.
Matthew Barber, Leader of the Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “Science Vale UK is already renowned for creating state-of-the-art technology and, along with our business partners, we are delighted to receive the Innovate UK grant that confirms our ambitions to establish the Science Vale at the forefront of bringing zero emission autonomous public transport to our region.”
Meet Munching Molly and pals – the new food waste recycling trucks
Vale of White Horse District Council set a challenge to primary school children in both districts to come up with a list of new names for the new food waste trucks. Residents then voted for their favourites.
After nearly four weeks and thousands of votes, the most popular name in Vale of White Horse was Munching Molly. The name was put forward by two pupils at John Blandy Primary School in Southmoor.
There are a total of 12 new food waste trucks, the new fleet was recently introduced by the councils’ waste contractor Biffa.
The children who put forward the top names have each won a swimming pass for our local leisure centres for their family, courtesy of GLL the councils’ leisure centre contractor. Each child also scooped £150 book tokens for their school.
New awards for voluntary and community groups
Voluntary and community groups across the district are being invited to tell everyone the difference they have made to their communities – and the best will win new awards thanks to Vale of White Horse district council.
The council is sponsoring an award for the first time this year - for the Best Group in the Vale of White Horse.
The awards are part of the prestigious annual Oxfordshire Charity and Volunteer Awards – co-ordinated by Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action. The winners will be announced in Oxford on 5 June 2018.
The challenge has been set down for voluntary or community groups, large or small, new or old to show how they have made a significant impact to their local communities.
Please visit the OCVA website for more information and how to nominate. Nominations close at midday on 10 April 2018.
Thinking caps required in Hanney
An exciting quiz night is taking place on Saturday 24 March in East Hanney to raise funds for charity.
The quiz is taking place at the War Memorial Hall in the village and is open to teams of up to six people. Any couples or individuals who don’t have a full team come along and join up with others on the night.
To enter, tickets cost £10 per person with a buffet included. A licenced bar will also be available from 7pm.
The quiz starts at 7.30pm and there are prizes of wine for the winning team and a wooden spoon for the losers. All proceeds from the evening will be split between the Children’s Air Ambulance and Alzheimer’s Society.
To register as an individual or a whole team please contact [email protected] or phone 01235 422082 by Friday 16th March.
Latest news hitting your doorstep
Conservative councillors, activists and volunteers across the Vale are beginning to deliver the latest newsletter through residents' letterboxes.
Reporting back and keeping residents informed is important and whilst email newsletter such as this and the use of social media are growing they still haven't replaced the good old fashioned leaflet!
The leaflet is produced and distributed at no cost to the taxpayer. No need to wait to get it through your letterbox, you can down it by clicking here now...
