Sub-Area Strategies That Apply to Different 5 Parts of the Vale to Help Us Plan Effectively and Help Ensure the Plan Sub-Area Is Locally Distinctive

Home , Abingdon Rural District, Childrey, Cumnor, Dry Sandford, East Challow, Faringdon

Overview This chapter sets out the Sub-Area Strategies that apply to different 5 parts of the Vale to help us plan effectively and help ensure the plan Sub-Area is locally distinctive. The three sub-areas are: Abingdon-on-Thames and Oxford Fringe – which covers the northern and north eastern parts of the Vale that have strong linkages Strategies with the city of Oxford. This area contains the Market Town of Abingdon-on-Thames, the Local Service Centre of Botley and several Larger Villages including Cumnor, Drayton, East Hanney, Kennington, Kingston Bagpuize with Southmoor, Marcham, Radley, Steventon and Wootton. A large part of this Sub-Area is located within the Oxford Green Belt.

South East Vale – which includes most of the Science Vale area and contains the Market Town of Wantage, the Local Service Centre of Grove as well as a number of significant employment sites, including Harwell Campus, Milton Park and Didcot A Power Station. The area also contains part of the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), which stretches along the south of the district and a number of Larger Villages including Blewbury, East Hendred, Harwell, Harwell Campus, Milton and Sutton Courtenay.

Western Vale – which is a more rural area stretching from the North Wessex Downs (AONB) to the River Thames, containing the Market Town of Faringdon and several Larger Villages including East Challow, Shrivenham, Stanford-in-the-Vale, Uffington and Watchfield.

56 Vale of White Horse District Council 5 Sub-Area Strategies

1 Abingdon-on-Thames and Oxford Fringe Sub-Area Strategy

Introduction as a Local Service Centre in its own on the highway network and to Core Policy 10: Abbey Shopping right. The Oxford Brookes University respect the overarching purposes of Centre and the Charter, Abingdon- 2 5.1 The Abingdon-on-Thames Harcourt Hill Campus is located the Oxford Green Belt. on-Thames – which supports and Oxford Fringe Sub-Area lies in nearby in North Hinksey. the redevelopment of this area to the north of the Vale District (Figure 5.6 This section sets out: enhance the retail offer within the 5.1). It has strong functional links 5.3. The Abingdon-on-Thames and ࠮ OV^[OL:\I(YLH^PSSJOHUNLI` town. 3 with the city of Oxford and over 40 Oxford Fringe Sub-Area contains a HUK Core Policy 11: Botley Central Area % of the Sub-Area is located within network of attractive rural villages, ࠮ V\YZ[YH[LNPJWVSPJPLZ[V – which supports the redevelopment the Oxford Green Belt. The Sub- which include the Larger Villages HKKYLZZ[OLRL`JOHSSLUNLZHUK of this area to provide for new retail, Area provides housing for residents of Cumnor, Drayton, East Hanney, VWWVY[\UP[PLZPKLU[PÄLKPU[OPZ leisure and commercial provision. working in Oxford and also functions Kingston Bagpuize with Southmoor, :\I(YLH! 4 as a significant employment area in Kennington, Marcham, Radley, Supporting sustainable its own right. The Sub-Area has good Steventon and Wootton. Building healthy and transport and accessibility access to the strategic road network, sustainable communities Core Policy 12: Safeguarding including the A34 and A420. 5.4 The Sub-Area is a highly Core Policy 8: Spatial Strategy of Land for Strategic Highway 5 sustainable location for development, for the Abingdon-on-Thames and Improvements within the 5.2 The Market Town of Abingdon- particularly due to its proximity to the Oxford Fringe Sub-Area – which Abingdon-on-Thames and Oxford on-Thames is the largest settlement city of Oxford and excellent public sets out our strategic site allocations Fringe Sub-Area – which seeks to in the Sub-Area. It benefits from transport connectivity. for this area. protect land needed for the delivery 6 an attractive frontage to the River of highway schemes within the area. Thames and an historic town centre. 5.5 To help ensure our vision Supporting economic The second largest settlement in for the Vale of White Horse is prosperity the Sub-Area is Botley, which is achieved, our over-arching priority Core Policy 9: Harcourt Hill 7 located on the south-western edge for the area is to maintain the service Campus – which supports of Oxford, and consists of parts and employment centre roles for appropriate and sustainable of the North Hinksey and Cumnor Abingdon-on-Thames and Botley, development to meet future business parishes. Botley has strong links with whilst ensuring future growth is needs of the University. the city of Oxford and also functions managed to minimise any pressure

Local Plan 2031: Part One 57 5 Sub-Area Strategies

Protecting the Figure 5.1: Abingdon-on-Thames and Oxford Fringe Sub-Area environment and responding to climate change

Core Policy 13: The Oxford Green Belt – which seeks to protect the land that continues to meet the five purposes of Green Belt and maintaining the setting of and managing the growth of the city of Oxford.

Core Policy 14: Strategic Water Storage Reservoirs – which safeguards land for the provision of a reservoir to assist with the management of water supply in the South East of England, should this be needed.

58 Vale of White Horse District Council Sub-Area Strategies 5 Abingdon-on-Thames and Oxford Fringe

How the Abingdon-on-Thames and Seacourt Retail Park will have maintained its own Oxford Fringe Sub-Area will change identity. by 2031 2 Oxford Brookes University Harcourt Hill Campus The Abingdon-on-Thames and Oxford Fringe Sub- will be sensitively modernised to continue to Area will continue to provide an attractive place provide further education and sports facilities to to live, with development carefully managed and students and local residents. The area will also 3 the overarching purposes of the Oxford Green Belt be successfully linked by public transport and a protected. network of footpaths and cycle routes.

Abingdon-on-Thames will continue to function as Joint working with Oxford City Council, Oxfordshire 4 an important service and employment centre within County Council, Highways England and other the district. The historic character of the town neighbouring authorities will have identified a long- centre will have been maintained and the Abbey term solution to traffic management around Oxford, the A34, and in Abingdon-on-Thames and Botley. Shopping Centre and Charter Area will have been 5 comprehensively and attractively redeveloped. The countryside and villages will have maintained Botley will continue to function as a thriving their distinctive character and will be much enjoyed by residents, workers and visitors to the Vale. community on the western edge of Oxford and 6 new housing will have been sensitively designed to Growth within the Larger Villages will have helped to complement the attractive environments of Cumnor maintain or enhance their services and to provide for Hill and North Hinksey village. The centre of Botley residents’ day-to-day needs. New residents in the will be enhanced and modernised to function as villages will be helping to sustain the services and 7 a safe and vibrant Local Service Centre and the social life of the rural communities.

Local Plan 2031: Part One 59 Sub-Area Strategies 5 Abingdon-on-Thames and Oxford Fringe

Strategic policies for the 5.9 A number of sites are also Abingdon-on-Thames and allocated for strategic growth at the Oxford Fringe Sub-Area Larger Villages of Kennington (within Radley Parish), Kingston Bagpuize Building healthy and with Southmoor and Radley. These sustainable communities villages are suitable locations for development in the Vale, with 5.7 Abingdon-on-Thames is our comparatively high levels of services largest settlement: it has the largest and facilities, good public transport range of services and facilities, a connectivity with opportunities for good employment base, excellent improvement and good access to a public transport links to Oxford wide range of employment. and beyond, and it has the highest need for affordable housing across 5.10 The strategic sites will be the Vale. For this reason, land is designed to integrate successfully identified to the north of the town with the local community and that is deemed to be sustainable for to minimise any harmful effects. strategic growth. Appropriate infrastructure, such as open space, leisure provision and 5.8 The strategic development to new services and facilities will all be the north of Abingdon-on-Thames delivered alongside the housing. will provide much needed housing in our most sustainable settlement and 5.11 Our strategy for meeting our help to facilitate the delivery of an housing needs in this Sub-Area is upgrade to the A34 junction at Lodge set out in Core Policy 8: Spatial Hill. This not only provides access to Strategy for the Abingdon-on- the strategic road network but would Thames and Oxford Fringe Sub- also help to alleviate existing traffic Area. issues within the town.

60 Vale of White Horse District Council Sub-Area Strategies 5 Abingdon-on-Thames and Oxford Fringe

Core Policy 8: Spatial Strategy for Housing Delivery

Abingdon-on-Thames and Oxford Fringe At least 5,438 new homes will be delivered in the plan period between 2 Sub-Area 2011 and 2031. 1,790 dwellings will be delivered through strategic allocations. 962 dwellings remain to be identified and will be allocated Our over-arching priority for this Sub-Area is to maintain the service and through the Local Plan 2031 Part 2 or Neighbourhood Development Plans employment centre roles for Abingdon-on-Thames and Botley and ensure or through the Development Management process. The contribution of growth is managed to minimise pressure on the highway network, whilst all sources of housing supply for this Sub-Area are shown in the following 3 protecting the Oxford Green Belt. table:

Development in the Abingdon-on-Thames and Oxford Fringe Sub-Area should be in accordance with the Settlement Hierarchy set out in Core Category Number of Dwellings 4 Policy 3: Housing requirement for the full plan period (Apr 2011 to Mar 5,438a 2031) Market Town: Abingdon-on-Thames Housing Completions (Apr 2011 to Mar 2016) 1,175 Local Service Centre: Botley 5 Larger Villages: Cumnor, Drayton, East Hanney, Housing Supply Known Commitments 2,011 Kennington, Kingston Bagpuize with (Apr 2016 to Mar 2031) Local Plan 2031 Part 1 1,790 Southmoor, Marcham, Radley, Steventon allocations and Wootton Local Plan 2031 Part 2 722b 6 Smaller Villages: Appleton, Dry Sandford, Farmoor, Frilford, allocations Longworth, North Hinksey, Shippon, South Windfalls 240 Hinksey, Sunningwell, West Hanney and Wytham a This target addresses needs arising in the Vale of White Horse. If or when required, needs arising elsewhere in the Housing Market Area, will be addressed in accordance 7 with Core Policy 2. b The Local Plan Part 2 allocation identified in the above table will be reduced where dwellings are allocated in Neighbourhood Development Plans or come forward through the Development Management Process.

Continued overleaf

Local Plan 2031: Part One 61 Sub-Area Strategies 5 Abingdon-on-Thames and Oxford Fringe

Core Policy 8: Spatial Strategy for Employment 3.20 hectares of employment land is identified for future business and Abingdon-on-Thames and Oxford Fringe employment growth in accordance with Core Policy 6. In addition, the Sub-Area following strategic employment sites will be safeguarded for employment use in line with Core Policy 29. Strategic Allocations Development will be supported at the strategic site allocations through Strategic employment sites: a masterplanning process involving the community, local planning authority, developer and other stakeholders where development meets Abingdon-on-Thames: the requirements set out within the Site Development Templates shown by Appendix A and are in accordance with the Development Plan taken as a Ashville Trading Estate, Abingdon Business Park, Nuffield Way, Drayton whole. The following table shows how the level of housing required within Road Industrial Estate, Fitzharris Trading Estate, Abingdon Science Park, this Sub-Area through strategic development sites will be distributed: Radley Road Industrial Estate, Barton Mill in Audlett Drive.

Part 1 Allocations Botley:

Settlement/ Settlement Type Site Name Number of Curtis Industrial Estate, Hinksey Business Centre, Minns Business Park, Parish Dwellings Seacourt Tower. Abingdon-on- Market Town North Abingdon-on- 800 Thames Thames North West 200 Abingdon-on-Thames Kingston Bagpuize Larger Villages East Kingston Bagpuize 280 with Southmoor with Southmoor Radley North West Radley 240 South of Kennington 270 Total 1,790

62 Vale of White Horse District Council Sub-Area Strategies 5 Abingdon-on-Thames and Oxford Fringe

1 Supporting economic 5.15 The Steventon Storage Facility, restaurants. Recent enhancements prosperity formerly used by the Home Office to the Abbey Shopping Centre have as a storage depot, is a 30 hectare improved the attractiveness of the 5.12 The Sub-Area functions as an site used for warehousing and town centre, and proposals for 2 important centre for employment distribution. It is located in the open further improvements in the Abbey and contains a number of strategic countryside between Steventon Shopping Centre and Charter area employment sites, including and East Hanney. Although there is will be supported in line with Core Abingdon Science Park, Abingdon relatively little traffic arising from the Policy 10. 3 Business Park, Curtis Industrial site now, if used more intensively, it Estate, Hinksey Business Park, Minns would result in significant amounts Business Park and Seacourt Tower. of traffic on an unclassified rural road. There is an aspiration for the 4 5.13 Our strategy for meeting business use to be relocated to a business needs in the Sub-Area is more sustainable site, at a scale that set out in Core Policy 8: Spatial would generate a similar number of Strategy for Abingdon-on-Thames jobs to those currently on the site49. and Oxford Fringe Sub-Area. This matter will be reviewed through 5 the Local Plan 2031 Part 2. 5.14 Higher Education facilities such as the Oxford Brookes University Meeting needs for retailing Harcourt Hill Campus will be 6 supported in their important role in 5.16 Abingdon-on-Thames is one of ensuring local residents are equipped the main shopping and commercial to take up the skilled jobs that will centres within the district. The town be provided in the Science Vale and offers a mix of national retailers 7 wider area (Core Policy 9). and small independent traders, and provides a good range and choice of services such as banks, cafés and

49 Refer to Saved Local Plan 2011 Policy E15

Local Plan 2031: Part One 63 Sub-Area Strategies 5 Abingdon-on-Thames and Oxford Fringe

5.17 The main shopping centre Oxford Brookes Harcourt Hill 5.20 The University wishes to in Botley is known as West Way. Campus, Botley improve the quality of the campus Although popular, offering a range and is reviewing its future role. Work of shops and services, including 5.18 The Harcourt Hill Campus has commenced on a masterplan restaurants and a library, the age is one of three sites occupied by for the long-term development of and condition of its buildings detract Oxford Brookes University, and the site in consultation with the local from the centre’s appearance. Elms provides teaching facilities, student community, Oxfordshire County Parade is located in close proximity accommodation and supporting Council and other stakeholders. The to the West Way centre and includes uses including sports facilities. It is masterplan is intended to ensure that a number of independent shops. currently home to the Westminster the campus evolves in a coherent and Proposals for the refurbishment of Institute of Education. comprehensive manner to provide Botley’s Central Area, including the improved educational facilities, West Way Shopping Centre and 5.19 Harcourt Hill Campus is located including student accommodation Elms Parade, will be supported in in a wooded section of the Oxford and academic buildings. accordance with Core Policy 11. Green Belt on the urban-rural fringe. Its curtilage falls within the setting of 5.21 Core Policy 9 supports the protected views of the countryside redevelopment of the Harcourt Hill setting from Oxford and also the Campus. Transport and access panoramic views of the city’s famous matters will need to be agreed with towers and spires. Oxfordshire County Council and supported by a transport assessment including area level impact assessment. Proposals will also need to meet the requirements of Core Policy 13: the Oxford Green Belt.

64 Vale of White Horse District Council Sub-Area Strategies 5 Abingdon-on-Thames and Oxford Fringe

Core Policy 9: Harcourt Hill Campus 2

The Council will work proactively with Oxford Brookes University, i. the scale of development proposed and intended uses Oxfordshire County Council, local residents and other appropriate ii. the integration of built form into the landscape which will be assessed stakeholders to help the university to develop a masterplan for the at the planning application stage with reference to a comprehensive 3 Harcourt Hill Campus site that meets the university’s longer term business landscape, tree and planting strategy needs for predominantly educational uses and in a manner that respects iii. sustainable site access including by public transport, and the effective its Green Belt setting and urban-rural fringe context. management of car trips and car parking demand to a level that can safely be accommodated on the local road network, and Proposals for the upgrading or redevelopment of the Harcourt Hill Campus iv. the safeguarding of long distance views of the site from Oxford and 4 will be supported in principle where guided by an agreed masterplan that to ensure that new development does not detract from views of the sets a clear vision for the future use of the site. The agreed masterplan existing spires by reason of its height or form. and any subsequent proposals should be prepared to clearly identify and address key site issues including, but not limited to, the following matters: 5

Local Plan 2031: Part One 65 Sub-Area Strategies 5 Abingdon-on-Thames and Oxford Fringe

Abbey Shopping Centre, sets out planning and urban design town centre and lack of available 5.27 Making the town centre more Abingdon-on-Thames principles to guide the design of brownfield land, it is important that attractive for cultural and recreational high quality, retail-led redevelopment the redevelopment of the Charter activities will help to ensure town 5.22 The retail offer in Abingdon- proposals. Area optimises the land available centre vitality, which is a corporate on-Thames consists of the traditional for retail use without compromising objective for the Council. town centre and major edge of town 5.25 The first phase of the provision of key community and sites located to the western side of the redevelopment, which involves health facilities, which are essential to town, including the Fairacres Retail improvements to the Abbey Shopping maintaining a thriving town centre. Park and the site occupied by Tesco. Centre, has been completed. The next phase focuses on the Charter 5.23 The Abbey Shopping Centre Area, and could involve provision of a and the Charter Area form a key large food store. The redevelopment part of the town centre. Together, of this area remains a key objective they provide a range of shops and in seeking to improve Abingdon-on- community services, along with flats Thames town centre. Core Policy 10 and offices. The Local Plan 2011 supports proposals for enhancement identified the need for redevelopment and refurbishment of the Abbey of the area, as the buildings had Shopping Centre and the Charter become dated, and refurbishment Area. of the 1960s shopping precinct was highlighted as a key element of the 5.26 The most up-to-date retail strategy to enhance the vitality and study51 indicates an increased need viability of Abingdon-on-Thames for provision of food (convenience) town centre. and non-food (comparison) retail floorspace to meet the envisaged 5.24 A Supplementary Planning population growth in this Sub-Area Document (SPD)50 for the area was up to 2031. Owing to the heavily adopted by the Council in 2011 and constrained nature of the existing

50 Vale of White Horse District Council (2011) Abbey Shopping Centre and the Charter, Abingdon Development Brief 51 Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners (NLP) (2014) Retail and Town Centre Study – Vale of White Horse District Council – November 2014

66 Vale of White Horse District Council Sub-Area Strategies 5 Abingdon-on-Thames and Oxford Fringe

Core Policy 10: Abbey Shopping Centre and the Charter, Abingdon- on-Thames 2

Within the Abbey Shopping Centre and the Charter Area (as defined on the Adopted Policies Map), proposals for 3 retail-led development will be supported. Applicants will need to demonstrate that proposals reflect the planning and urban design guidance set out in the adopted Supplementary Planning Document for the area to deliver 4 high quality retail-led development, which successfully complements and integrates with the existing Phase 1 Abbey Shopping Centre.

5 Proposals should ensure that the retail element (A1 use) of the Charter is maximised to ensure the vitality and viability of the town centre is maintained and enhanced over the plan period. 6

Proposals should demonstrate how they will mitigate their transport impact, including improving facilities for pedestrians and cyclists. 7

Figure 5.2: Abbey Shopping Centre and Charter Area

Local Plan 2031: Part One 67 Sub-Area Strategies 5 Abingdon-on-Thames and Oxford Fringe

Central Botley Study identifies that around 25 % of Figure 5.3: Botley Central Area residents in the Botley retail catchment 5.28 The West Way shopping centre area do their main convenience is a 1960s, part-covered shopping shopping in the immediate area, with centre that forms the main shopping the majority travelling into the city area in Botley. The West Way centre of Oxford. The provision of a food is located to the rear of Elms Parade, superstore in Botley would address which contains a number of small this imbalance. The study also notes independent shops. This shopping area that the provision of leisure and has served Botley well over the years entertainment facilities, other than but the West Way centre is now in need restaurants and pubs, is limited in of refurbishment to fulfil its potential as Botley. Redevelopment of the area a Local Service Centre. could therefore include commercial leisure facilities, thereby helping to 5.29 The most recent Retail and Town improve the overall offer and appeal Centre Study52 identifies that Botley of Botley as a shopping and leisure is a similar size, in terms of retail units destination. and floorspace, to the Market Town of Faringdon. Despite this, it does not 5.31 Redevelopment of the central perform as a town centre and does area could provide a large supermarket, not provide the range of services and shops, offices, hotel, car parking and other facilities that would be expected. other uses to meet the needs of Botley The identified retail need for Botley is and the surrounding area. Core Policy approximately 1,500 sq.m of floorspace 11 therefore supports proposals for the which will need to be delivered over the redevelopment of the Botley Central plan period. Area (Figure 5.3), which includes the West Way Shopping Centre and Elms 5.30 The Retail and Town Centre Parade.

52 Nathanial Lichfield & Partners (NLP) (2012) Retail and Town Centre Study – Vale of White Horse District Council, March 2013

68 Vale of White Horse District Council Sub-Area Strategies 5 Abingdon-on-Thames and Oxford Fringe

Core Policy 11: Botley Central Area 2

Proposals for a comprehensive retail-led redevelopment and upgrading vi. proposals that seek to demolish Elms Parade should demonstrate of Botley central area, as defined on the Adopted Policies Map, will be that its successor is of at least equal architectural merit and particular supported provided that: attention should be given to provide at least the same level of active 3 frontage. i. taken as a whole, the proposals support the role and function of Bot- ley as a Local Service Centre, providing a well-integrated mix of shops and services to meet day-to-day shopping needs of the local area ii. effective use is made of development potential above ground level 4 and on more peripheral parts of the site for a mix of uses that may include, but are not limited to, office, community, residential, hotel and leisure activities iii. existing residential and community facilities, including: the community 5 hall, library, Church of St Peter and St Paul and Baptist Church are replaced with facilities of an appropriate size and quality to meet current and likely future local needs iv. it can be demonstrated that proposals will not harm the character or 6 appearance of the local area, particularly West Way, Arthray Road and Westminster Way v. proposals for the site are prepared through a comprehensive masterplanning process providing an integrated solution to site access, 7 traffic management, air quality management, servicing and sufficient car parking, whilst prioritising the pedestrian customer environment, and

Local Plan 2031: Part One 69 Sub-Area Strategies 5 Abingdon-on-Thames and Oxford Fringe

Supporting sustainable peak periods, which results in long Oxfordshire District. The Council 5.38 Oxfordshire County Council is transport and accessibility and unreliable journey times. The will work positively with South developing a strategy for the A420 to River Ock bridge and the double Oxfordshire District Council and enhance key junctions and improve Safeguarding of land for strategic mini-roundabouts at the junction Oxfordshire County Council to ensure capacity on this route. Contributions highway improvements within the with Marcham Road/Ock Street are that any proposals for a new road are will be sought from developers Abingdon-on-Thames and Oxford also physical pinch-points which developed in partnership and meet along the A420 corridor towards Fringe Sub-Area restrict vehicle flow. the requirements of both Councils54. improvements to this route and further details are set out in the Site 5.32 This Sub-Area benefits 5.33 The transport constraints at 5.36 The long-term potential for a Development Templates – from excellent public transport Abingdon-on-Thames are a key new crossing of the River Thames Appendix A. connectivity, particularly to the nearby reason why strategic growth is not in conjunction with a southern town city of Oxford. However, there are currently planned to the south of the bypass is protected by Core Policy also a number of transport related town. 12, which ensures that development constraints. In particular, these proposals in this area do not include: 5.34 However, a potential long- prejudice its potential future delivery. term approach to alleviating traffic • Abingdon-on-Thames and Botley congestion to the south of Abingdon- 5.37 The delivery of south facing are constrained by congestion on-Thames is the provision of a slips to the A34 junction at Lodge from traffic accessing Oxford via new southern bypass, including a Hill, in conjunction with strategic the A34, the Botley Interchange, second Thames crossing. Additional development to the north of the town, including traffic accessing Oxford development to the south of will make a positive contribution to from the A420 and Botley Road, Abingdon-on-Thames is inappropriate alleviating traffic congestion and and without the provision of this new providing improved access to the • Drayton Road (B4017) is a key bypass53. strategic road network. Land to route into Abingdon-on-Thames enable the delivery of this scheme is from the south. This road already 5.35 Part of the potential route for also safeguarded in accordance with suffers from significant congestion a southern Abingdon-on-Thames Core Policy 12. in both the morning and evening bypass falls within the South

53 ATKINS (2014) Evaluation of Transport Impacts Assessment, available at: www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/evidence 54 A Memorandum of Understanding has been prepared with VWHDC, SODC and OCC relating to this matter.

70 Vale of White Horse District Council Sub-Area Strategies 5 Abingdon-on-Thames and Oxford Fringe

Core Policy 12: Safeguarding of Land for Strategic Highway Improvements within the Abingdon-on-Thames and Oxford Fringe Sub- 2 Area

Land is safeguarded to support the delivery of the following identified transport 3 schemes:

% South Abingdon-on-Thames Bypass linking the A415 to the West and South East of the town, including a new River Thames crossing 4 % Diamond Interchange at the A34 Lodge Hill Junction % Land for improvements to Frilford Lights.

New development in these areas should be carefully designed having regard to matters such as building layout, noise insulation, landscaping and means of access. 5

Any proposals for development that may reasonably be considered to impact the delivery of the identified schemes (as shown by maps in Appendix E and the Adopted Policies Map)* should demonstrate the proposal would not harm their 6 delivery.

Planning permission will not be granted for development that would prejudice the construction or effective operation of the transport schemes listed above. 7

* the area shown on the Adopted Policies Map illustrates where policy CP12 will apply. It does not seek to show a precise alignment for the transport scheme, which will need to be informed by detailed design work, carried out in consultation with Oxfordshire County Council and other relevant parties.

Local Plan 2031: Part One 71 Sub-Area Strategies 5 Abingdon-on-Thames and Oxford Fringe

Protecting the environment in the Vale against the purposes of the and responding to climate Green Belt and the considerations of the change NPPF56. Having regard to that assessment, and housing needs the Council concluded The Oxford Green Belt that the exceptional circumstances exist 5.39 The Oxford Green Belt was first to justify removing from the Green Belt a conceived in 1956 and its boundaries number of parcels of land. approved in 1975, some 40 years ago. The purpose of the Oxford Green Belt in the Vale 5.42 This plan has therefore altered the of White Horse District is to prevent urban Green Belt boundary to remove land from sprawl around Oxford by keeping the land the Green Belt at Abingdon, Kennington permanently open, and to preserve the rural and Radley to be allocated as new strategic setting and special character of the city of housing allocations, as shown in Oxford. Appendix I.

5.40 The Council took into account the 5.43 The local Green Belt Review government’s policy in the NPPF relating to undertaken does not preclude, and would Green Belt and concluded that in the light of inform any future Green Belt Review, should housing requirements over the plan period, this be needed, to contribute to meeting any the need to promote sustainable patterns of identified unmet housing need within the development in the district and the findings Oxfordshire Housing Market Area, in which of a local green belt boundary review, this matter is addressed by Core Policy 2: exceptional circumstances existed to revise Cooperation on Unmet Housing Need for the Green Belt boundaries in the district. Oxfordshire (Chapter 1).

5.41 The local Green Belt Review55 assessed land around inset settlements

55 Kirkham Landscape Planning Ltd. Terra Firma Consultancy (2014) Vale of White Horse District Council Green Belt Review, available at: http://www.whitehorsedc. gov.uk/evidence 56 NPPF, paragraph 80

72 Vale of White Horse District Council Sub-Area Strategies 5 Abingdon-on-Thames and Oxford Fringe

Core Policy 13: purposes of including land within it The Oxford Green Belt iii. the extension or alteration of a building provided it does not result in disproportionate additions over and above the size of the 2 original building The Oxford Green Belt area in the Vale, as amended following the local iv. the replacement of a building, provided the new building is in the Green Belt Review, will continue to be protected to maintain its openness same use and not materially larger than the one it replaces and permanence. v. limited infilling in Shippon, South Hinksey, Wootton Old Village 3 Development will be permitted in the following settlements, which are and Wytham inset to the Green Belt (as shown on the Adopted Policies Map), where vi. limited affordable housing for local community needs as set out in the proposed development is within the existing built area of the village Core Policy 24, or vii. limited infilling or the partial or complete redevelopment of and in accordance with Core Policies 3 and 4: 4 previously developed sites, whether redundant or in continuing • Appleton use (excluding temporary buildings), which would not have • Botley a greater impact on the openness of the Green Belt and the • Cumnor purpose of including land within it than the existing development. • Kennington 5 • North Hinksey The following forms of development are also not inappropriate in the • Radley, and Green Belt provided they preserve the openness of the Green Belt and do • Wootton not conflict with the purposes of including land in the Green Belt: Proposals for inappropriate development will not be approved except in • mineral extraction 6 very special circumstances*. • engineering operations • local transport infrastructure that can demonstrate a requirement for a The construction of new buildings in the Green Belt is considered Green Belt location inappropriate except where they are: • the re-use of buildings, provided that they are permanent and of 7 i. buildings for agriculture or forestry substantial construction, and ii. provision of appropriate facilities for outdoor sport, outdoor • development brought forward under a Community Right to Build Order. recreation and for cemeteries, as long as it preserves the openness of the Green Belt and does not conflict with the * ‘Very special circumstances’ will not exist unless the potential harm, is clearly outweighed by other considerations (NPPF, Paragraph 88).

Local Plan 2031: Part One 73 Sub-Area Strategies 5 Abingdon-on-Thames and Oxford Fringe

Strategic Water Storage 5.46 Thames Water has confirmed reservoir capacity in accordance with Reservoirs that the Upper Thames Reservoir Core Policy 14. (UTR), proposed to be located within 5.44 Thames Water is examining the Vale between the villages of 5.49 Land safeguarded for a the means by which sufficient water Drayton, East Hanney and Steventon, proposed reservoir between the can be provided to meet the future remains its preferred option if a large villages of Drayton, East Hanney needs of the region. Shortlisted storage reservoir solution were to be and Steventon includes an area options under consideration include selected. As part of the preparation of identified by the Environment Agency new strategic water storage capacity the Part 2 plan consideration will be as important for a proposed flood in the Upper Thames Catchment. given to a revision of the boundaries alleviation scheme to the west Thames Water has identified the of the safeguarded area for this of Abingdon. This is shown at possible need for a major new reservoir. Appendix F. reservoir in the district between the villages of Drayton, East Hanney 5.47 As an alternative to the 5.50 The sites will continue to be and Steventon or to the north of preferred option, a smaller reservoir safeguarded until such time as they Longworth to help manage water solution may be selected instead to are no longer considered necessary, supply and ensure current and future support a storage reservoir or water as set out in the WRMP 2019, or in needs can be met. transfer scheme at a site to the north light of subsequent decisions made of Longworth or in South Oxfordshire, by Thames Water or the Secretary of 5.45 The Water Resources at Chinnor. A decision is expected State. Management Plan (WRMP) 2014, by Thames Water on its chosen published by Thames Water, long term water resource option by 5.51 If progressed, a storage identifies three potential options to 2019, following the conclusion of the reservoir may constitute a Nationally address its long term water resource WRMP 2019. Significant Infrastructure Project management in the south east, under the Planning Act 2008, for including the development of a large 5.48 As the Vale’s Local Plan 2031 which a Development Consent Order storage reservoir, wastewater reuse Part 1 will be adopted ahead of would be sought from the Secretary and a water transfer option. the WRMP 2019, land will need to of State for Environment, Food and continue to be safeguarded for new Rural Affairs.

74 Vale of White Horse District Council Sub-Area Strategies 5 Abingdon-on-Thames and Oxford Fringe

Core Policy 14: Strategic Water Storage Reservoirs 2

Land is safeguarded for a reservoir and ancillary works between the iii. maximise the creation of wildlife habitats and biodiversity settlements of Drayton, East Hanney and Steventon, and to the north of iv. promote the recreational uses of the reservoir consistent with the Longworth unless subsequent publication of Thames Water’s Resources landscape and biodiversity values of the proposal and having regard 3 Management Plan 2019 indicates that the location is not necessary to the traffic impacts of such uses for future reservoir provision. Development that might prejudice the v. include a new route for the diverted Hanney to Steventon road, to implementation of a new reservoir on the safeguarded sites will be include provision for an off-road cycle path in relation to the reservoir refused. The safeguarded areas for the reservoirs are shown on the proposal between the villages of Drayton, East Hanney and Steventon Adopted Policies Map and Appendix F. vi. make provision for the new route of the Wilts and Berks Canal in 4 relation to the reservoir proposal between the villages of Drayton, East The proposed reservoir/s, if included as a preferred option in an adopted Hanney and Steventon Water Resources Management Plan, must be brought forward through vii. include measures to avoid or mitigate any other significant adverse a masterplan, development brief and design statement following effects identified through the environmental impact assessment of the 5 consultation on these documents by Thames Water with the community, proposal, including on the local and wider highway networks and on the local authority, the local highway authority and the statutory surface water and fluvial flooding, and environmental bodies and utility providers. viii. minimise any impact on the archaeological significance of the site, to include the retention of in situ archaeological remains, where possible, 6 Any proposal for a reservoir must: and their full investigation and recording with the results deposited in a public archive. i. mitigate the impact of construction on local people, the environment and roads 7 ii. minimise the effects on the landscape of an embankment reservoir through its design, general configuration and the use of hard and soft landscaping

Local Plan 2031: Part One 75 Sub-Area Strategies 5 South East Vale

South East Vale Sub-Area 2014 will continue to unleash a new South Oxfordshire District Council to the area lies within the North Wessex Strategy wave of innovation-led growth by prepare our Local Plan and ensure Downs AONB. These more rural maximising the area’s world class that appropriate services and facilities settlements are an important part of Introduction assets. The Science Vale sites are and infrastructure are available for the the wider community and their historic central to the City Deal programme new communities in this area. character should be conserved and 5.52 The South East Vale Sub- and the area is benefiting from part of enhanced. Area provides an important strand £95 million of Government investment 5.57 The historic Market Town of to our Spatial Strategy and is where for the county. Wantage and the nearby larger village 5.59 The proposals within the South around 75 % of our planned strategic of Grove are separate settlements East Vale Sub-Area will be supported housing growth and around 70 % of 5.55 Didcot A Power Station, a with their own unique character and where appropriate, by additional our projected new jobs are located feature on the area’s landscape identity. They have a strong functional policies in the Local Plan 2031 Part (15,830 of 23,000). for over forty years, closed in relationship with many shared services 2 to provide additional delivery and March 2013 and offers a significant including for health, education and implementation detail to cover the 5.53 The South East Vale Sub- opportunity for further development leisure. It is important that growth here Didcot Garden Town area that falls Area houses a number of significant when it is fully decommissioned. is carefully coordinated to seek to within the Vale district. LPP2 will set centres of employment, including ensure that service and infrastructure out greater plan detail to support the several sites located within the 5.56 This Sub-Area contains provision closely matches the needs delivery of high quality development Science Vale area. These include the Market Town of Wantage, the of the two communities. Grove and supporting infrastructure across Harwell Campus and Milton Park, nearby large village of Grove (which Airfield57 will contribute up to 2,500 the area. which were designated as an functions as a Local Service Centre homes to Grove and provide services Enterprise Zone in 2011. in its own right), and extends within and facilities. New development 5.60 To help to ensure that our Harwell and Milton parishes, to the should be successfully integrated vision for the Vale of White Horse is 5.54 Science Vale is one of the western edge of Didcot. Although with the existing and newly planned achieved, our focus for this Sub-Area key growth areas set out within the the town of Didcot is located within communities. is to ensure that employment growth Oxfordshire Strategic Economic South Oxfordshire, some of the centred on the Enterprise Zone and Plan and is the focus of significant proposed housing for this area is to 5.58 The South East Vale Sub-Area Science Vale sits alongside strategic investment. The Oxford and be located within the Vale. For this also houses many attractive rural housing and infrastructure to support Oxfordshire City Deal announced in reason we are working closely with villages and approximately half of sustainable growth.

57 Saved Local Plan (2011) allocation

76 Vale of White Horse District Council Sub-Area Strategies 5 South East Vale

1 5.61 This section sets out:

• how the Sub-Area will change by 2031, and 2 • our strategic policies to address the key challenges and opportunities identified for this Sub-Area in relation to our four thematic areas: 3

Building healthy and sustainable communities 4 Core Policy 15: Spatial Strategy for the South East Vale Sub-Area – which sets out our strategic site allocations for 5 this area

Supporting economic prosperity 6

Core Policy 16: Didcot A Power Station – which safeguards land at this site for employment 7 development Figure 5.4: South East Vale Sub-Area

Local Plan 2031: Part One 77 Sub-Area Strategies 5 South East Vale

Supporting sustainable transport and accessibility How the South East Vale Sub-Area The ecological value of the Letcombe Brook will change by 2031 as an important wildlife habitat will have been Core Policy 17: Transport Delivery enhanced. The strategic development sites will have for the South East Vale Sub- The South East Vale Sub-Area will consist of successfully extended the network of green spaces Area – which sets out the approach thriving communities that have benefited from in the area for both recreation and wildlife benefits. for delivering critical transport sustainable growth and the successful delivery of Strategic development in Harwell and Milton infrastructure within this area major infrastructure. The area will continue to be parishes, to the west of Didcot, will have provided a Core Policy 18: Safeguarding a vital economic area for Oxfordshire, including sustainable urban extension of high quality homes of Land for Strategic Highway employment of international importance, where new and community facilities. The strategic road and Schemes in the South East Vale jobs have been provided alongside housing and public transport improvements identified in the Sub-Area – which seeks to ensure community facilities. Science Vale Area Strategy will have been delivered land required for the critical transport and will be helping to reduce traffic congestion. infrastructure in this area is protected Wantage and Grove will be places where people Core Policy 19: Re-opening Grove are proud to live and work and recognised as a The town centre in Wantage will have been Railway Station – which sets out the vital part of the Science Vale area. Growth in these conserved and enhanced and the local centre in Council’s commitment to support the settlements will have been balanced alongside Grove will have been strengthened. The countryside ambition to re-open the station at the delivery of community facilities. This will have and villages will have maintained their distinctive Grove included new schools and significant highway character. The Larger Villages will have retained their separate identities and their services will provide for Protecting the environment improvements, including the Wantage Eastern residents’ day-to-day needs. New residents in the and responding to climate Link Road and the Grove Northern Link Road. The villages will be helping to sustain the services and change area will benefit from improved public transport and strategic growth in these settlements will have social life of the rural communities. provided more local job opportunities.

78 Vale of White Horse District Council Sub-Area Strategies 5 South East Vale

1 Strategic policies for the forecast and will also support the South East Vale Sub-Area vitality and viability of the area and help to facilitate the delivery Building healthy and of a package of new or enhanced 2 sustainable communities infrastructure, services and facilities. The new homes allocated to this 5.62 The South East Vale Sub-Area Sub-Area will be in balance with the forms the focus of our proposals for forecast new jobs, thus helping to 3 new housing and will accommodate deliver sustainable growth58. around 60 % of the total planned and permitted new housing for the district 5.65 Primary school places in and around 75 % of our strategic Wantage and Grove are currently 4 housing allocations. close to full capacity. Strategic growth at these settlements will 5.63 The provision of new housing provide additional capacity as part of in this area will help to improve the a long term and sustainable strategy self-sufficiency of the South East for education provision in the area. 5 Vale Sub-Area overall and provide The additional school places to be opportunities for living closer to provided across the Sub-Area will places of work. For this reason, a need to be phased appropriately number of sites have been identified alongside housing delivery. 6 as sustainable locations for strategic housing development within the Sub- 5.66 Our strategy for meeting our Area. housing needs in this Sub-Area are set out in Core Policy 15: Spatial 7 5.64 The strategic housing Strategy for the South East Vale growth will complement the new Sub-Area. employment and job creation

58 GL Hearn (2014) Science Vale Housing and Employment Study, Vale of White Horse District Council and South Oxfordshire District Council report, (November 2014)

Local Plan 2031: Part One 79 Sub-Area Strategies 5 South East Vale

Core Policy 15: Spatial Strategy for South Category Number of East Vale Sub-Area Dwellings Housing requirement for the full plan period (Apr 2011 to Mar 2031) 12,450a

Our over-arching priority for this Sub-Area is to secure the aligned delivery of Housing Completions (Apr 2011 to Mar 2016) 1,031 housing and employment growth together with the infrastructure required to Housing Supply Known Commitments 1,725 (Apr 2016 to Mar 2031) achieve sustainable development. Local Plan 2031 Part 1 allocations 9,055

Local Plan 2031 Part 2 allocations 56b Development in the South East Vale Area should be in accordance with the Windfalls 360 Settlement Hierarchy set out in Core Policy 3: a This target addresses needs arising in the Vale of White Horse. If or when required, Market Town: Wantage needs arising elsewhere in the Housing Market Area, will be addressed in accordance with Core Policy 2. Local Service Centre: Grove b Larger Villages: Blewbury, East Hendred, Harwell, Harwell The Local Plan Part 2 allocation identified in the above table will be reduced where dwellings are allocated in Neighbourhood Development Plans or come forward through Campus*, Milton and Sutton Courtenay the Development Management Process. Smaller Villages: Appleford, Ardington, Chilton, Milton Heights**, Rowstock, Upton and West Hendred Housing Supply Ring Fence 11,850 new homes are ‘ring-fenced’ for the purposes of the assessment *Harwell Campus has facilities and services equivalent to a Larger Village ** Milton Heights has facilities and services within a short walk that are equivalent to of housing land supply within this Sub-Area in accordance with Core those offered by a Larger Village. Policy 5. Development will be supported at the strategic site allocations through a masterplanning process involving the community, local planning Housing Delivery authority, developer and other stakeholders where development meets At least 12,450 new homes will be delivered in the plan period between 2011 the requirements set out within the Site Development Templates shown by and 2031. 9,055 dwellings will be delivered through strategic allocations. Appendix A and are in accordance with the Development Plan taken as a 416 dwellings remain to be identified and will be allocated through the whole. Design, delivery and implementation detail will also be set out in the Local Plan 2031 Part 2 or Neighbourhood Development Plans or through Local Plan 2031 Part 2. The following table shows how the level of housing the Development Management Process. The contribution of all sources of required within this Sub-Area through the strategic development sites will housing for this Sub-Area are shown by the following table: be distributed: Continued overleaf

80 Vale of White Horse District Council Sub-Area Strategies 5 South East Vale

Employment Core Policy 15: Spatial Strategy for 208 hectares of employment land will be provided for business and South East Vale Sub-Area employment growth in accordance with Core Policy 6. In addition, the 2 following strategic employment sites will be safeguarded for employment Part 1 Allocations use in line with Core Policy 29:

Settlement/ Settlement Site Name Number of Strategic employment sites: Parish Type Dwellings Grove Technology Park 3 Wantage Market Town Crab Hill (North East 1,500 Grove Road, Wantage Wantage and South East Downsview Road, Grove Grove) Station Road, Grove Grove Local Service Monks Farm (North Grove) 885 Existing Business Premises around Didcot Power Station (not including 4 Centre Grove Airfield c,d 2,500 vacant surplus land) Harwell and Milton Adjoining Valley Parke 2,550 Milton Park Site parishes, east of Didcot Town Harwell Campus North West Valley Park 800 the A34 adjoining 5 Didcot town Milton parish west Larger Village Milton Heights 400 of the A34 (Smaller Village) Harwell West of Harwell 200 6 Sutton Courtenay East of Sutton Courtenay 220 Total 9,055

C This site has ‘Resolution to Grant’ planning permission subject to a legal agreement 7 as at Sept 2014. d Saved Local Plan 2011 Allocation. e The allocation at Valley Park has the capacity to deliver considerably more housing, subject to appropriate infrastructure improvements. Housing which is in addition to the 2,550 homes is expected to be delivered after 2031.

Local Plan 2031: Part One 81 Sub-Area Strategies 5 South East Vale

Supporting economic 5.69 Job growth in this Sub-Area will 5.72 As part of delivering this ‘Supporting sustainable transport and prosperity therefore be focused at the Science growth, a key challenge is ensuring accessibility’ section of this Sub-Area Vale sites, which make a nationally that the area remains attractive for Strategy. 5.67 The Science Vale area spans significant contribution to the UK private sector investment. A number from Didcot in the east to Wantage economy and provide the area with a of projects to enable the continuing Didcot A Power Station and Grove in the west and includes positive opportunity for job creation. attractiveness of the area have the Science Centre at Culham within already been funded and some have 5.74 The redevelopment of the South Oxfordshire. Vale of White 5.70 The Harwell Campus and already been delivered. For example, Didcot A Power Station site provides Horse District Council is committed to Milton Park sites are both identified a Science Vale Broadband project will the area with an opportunity for the the future growth and development as strategic employment sites in Core secure superfast broadband to the regeneration of around 47 hectares of the Science Vale area, which has Policy 15, providing a combined Enterprise Zone, providing market of brownfield land61 and the site will been identified as a strategic priority total of 156 hectares of available advantage and ensuring occupants be instrumental in the future place of the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise employment land. Other employment of the Zone are fully digitally enabled. shaping of Didcot (Figure 5.5). Partnership (LEP)59. sites across the Sub-Area notably The electrification and signalling include Williams F1 and Grove of the Great Western main line and 5.75 The provision of the Science 5.68 There is an ambitious Technology Park and the former improvements to Didcot Parkway Bridge, a new bridge over the railway programme of job creation and power station at Didcot. Station Interchange will further at the Didcot A power station site, growth for the Science Vale area, enhance the accessibility of the aims to help reduce congestion on including the two Enterprise 5.71 A Local Development Order has Science Vale area by rail. the A4130 through Didcot and reduce Zone sites at Harwell Campus been adopted for Milton Park, which severance caused by the railway and Milton Park designated in simplifies the planning process at the 5.73 A key challenge to the line. The new bridge will also help to 2011. It is important this growth is site for a period of 15 years. A Local continued attractiveness of this create direct connections with the delivered alongside new housing Development Order may also be rapidly expanding area is the capacity new housing developments of Great and the provision of appropriate appropriate for the Harwell Campus; of the local road network and a Western Park and Valley Park to the infrastructure to help make the area the Council will work with partners to number of improvements have been south of the site. more self-contained and to achieve a ensure appropriate future planning for identified in the Science Vale Area sustainable pattern of development. the development of this site. Strategy60. These are outlined in the

59 Southern Central Oxfordshire Transport Study (SCOTS) final report, 2008 60 Oxfordshire County Council Local Transport Plan 3, 2011-2030 61 The south eastern corner of the site lies within the administrative boundary of South Oxfordshire District Council

82 Vale of White Horse District Council Sub-Area Strategies 5 South East Vale

1 5.76 The Employment Land 5.78 Part of the site is located within Review62 highlighted that part of South Oxfordshire District and so the Didcot A Power Station site it is important that development (29 hectares; refer to Core Policy proposals are considered jointly with 2 6) should be safeguarded for both local authorities. The Local Plan employment uses. This is to ensure 2031 Part 2 will set out more detail to the district can provide sufficient help inform the master planning of employment to deliver new jobs the site. alongside new housing in line with 3 forecast population growth up to 203163.

5.77 The distribution of the 4 employment and other potential uses across the site, as identified in Core Policy 16, will need to be carefully considered through a 5 detailed masterplanning process. Development proposals will need to reflect the aspirations for Didcot as a whole. Achieving a high quality 6 development with active frontages will be important, particularly due to the site’s location on what will become a key access route into the 7 town.

62 Employment Land Review Update Addendum (July 2014) 63 Employment Land Review Update Addendum (July 2014) Page 10

Local Plan 2031: Part One 83 Sub-Area Strategies 5 South East Vale

Core Policy 16: Didcot A Power Station

The Council supports the redevelopment of the Didcot A site to provide a These uses need to be carefully considered in the masterplanning high quality mixed-use development. The site will continue to be reserved process to ensure that the site incorporates the following key design for a range of uses, particularly employment (B1, B2 and B8). Other principles: acceptable uses for the site include, but are not limited to, residential (C1, C2 and C3), ancillary retail, an element of bulky goods retail, leisure (D2) • The creation of a mixed-use local centre forming a high street and and community uses. Any proposed uses for the site must have regard active frontages on the main routes through the site; to relevant policies contained within South Oxfordshire District Council’s • Strong connectivity with Didcot town centre, Milton Park and Valley Adopted Core Strategy. Park; • Design across the site must have regard to sensitive views from Proposals for retail development that exceed 500 square metres gross elevated positions towards (but not limited to) residential amenity retail floorspace will need to be subject to a retail impact assessment to space, the treatment of facades and rooftops of prominent buildings, demonstrate there would be no adverse impacts on the vitality and viability and reducing the visual impact of car parks; on nearby centres. • Any residential development (C2 and C3) to be situated towards the south of the site and separate from the movement of heavy goods The mix of these uses will need to reflect demand, suitability of the site vehicles along key transport corridors; and and any transport implications to be identified by a detailed transport • Integrated SUDS and natural landscape features throughout the site. assessment with appropriate mitigation provided. Any development will need to be appropriate to the site’s location adjacent to Didcot B Power The proposed route of the new Science Bridge and A4130 re-routing is Station. safeguarded. Planning permission will not be granted for development that would prejudice the construction or effective operation of this highway infrastructure in accordance with Core Policy 17.

84 Vale of White Horse District Council Sub-Area Strategies 5 South East Vale

1 Figure 5.5: Didcot A Power Station Site

Local Plan 2031: Part One 85 Sub-Area Strategies 5 South East Vale

Science Vale of Appleford-on-Thames, Sutton 5.84 Overall there is significant 5.85 The Didcot area forms part Courtenay and Harwell all have change proposed around Didcot, of Science Vale and has been 5.79 The Science Vale area is borders with Didcot. Some of in both the Vale of White Horse and designated by central government a nationally and internationally these parishes house the important South Oxfordshire Districts, which as a Garden Town. To ensure our significant location for research employment land to the west of includes housing, employment and aspiration for this area of change and innovation and is the focus for Didcot, including the Didcot A Power large infrastructure projects. There is met (refer to Figure 2.2), this will large-scale expansion. The area is Station and Milton Park sites. is also significant change proposed be considered further through the predominately located within the across other parts of the Science Vale Local Plan Part 2, which will provide South East Vale Sub-Area and this 5.82 Parts of Harwell and Milton area, as described in the rest of our additional focus on delivery and is where we are focusing most of parishes have been identified for future South East Vale Sub-Area Strategy. implementation and on successful our future development. As outlined housing, which although located within place making. above, the area is home to the largest the Vale, clearly relate to Didcot. As a of our significant employment sites, larger settlement and service centre, and is where the largest number of Didcot will provide many important our new jobs will be created. services and facilities for the new development, including for retail and 5.80 The area extends into South leisure. Oxfordshire and it is important we plan effectively across our district 5.83 Didcot is identified as a location boundaries to ensure the coordinated for strategic growth within the adopted delivery of new infrastructure, South Oxfordshire Core Strategy, services and facilities. which allocates 6,300 homes within South Oxfordshire at Didcot64. The 5.81 The town boundary of Didcot Core Strategy also identifies the need is located within our neighbouring for significant regeneration and outlines district of South Oxfordshire and proposals for improvements to the adjoins parts of the Vale to the central area of the town, the Orchard north and west. The Vale parishes Centre and the railway station.

64 South Oxfordshire District Council, South Oxfordshire Core Strategy, December 2012, available at: http://www.southoxon.gov.uk/services-and-advice/planning-and-building/planning-policy/core-strategy/adopted-core-strategy

86 Vale of White Horse District Council Sub-Area Strategies 5 South East Vale

1 Meeting the needs for retailing 5.88 Grove functions as a small Supporting sustainable new infrastructure. This includes neighbourhood shopping centre transport and accessibility new roads and improvements to 5.86 The main retail facilities in with a limited range of non- public transport, to ensure that the Wantage and Grove area are food (comparison) shops and Delivery of strategic highway development is sustainable. The 2 provided by Wantage town centre. predominantly independent traders infrastructure within the South identified package of measures Large improvements were delivered serving day-to-day shopping needs. East Vale Sub-Area complements and builds upon those to the retail offer in Wantage in Grove’s role as a Local Service already identified in the ‘Science Vale 2007 when a major food store and Centre will be supported by Core 5.90 We are planning to focus most Area Strategy’ as set out in the Local 3 several large non-food (comparison) Policy 32. The Local Plan 2011 of our development within the South Transport Plan 365 which was the stores were built, just to the north of allocation of 2,500 new homes on the East Vale Sub-Area (around 75 % of relevant document up until July 2015. the town centre. These new stores former Grove Airfield site will provide the proposed strategic growth). This successfully complement the historic a new local centre, which will help to is because the area is home to the 5.92 The main focus of these 4 Market Square, which includes improve the range of shops available largest of our significant employment improvements is to ensure that there a number of attractive historic in the village. sites and where the largest number are efficient and effective transport buildings. of new jobs will be created. Locating linkages between the major Science 5.89 The nearby settlement of the majority of the planned housing Vale employment sites (as well as 5.87 Wantage is one of the main Didcot, located in South Oxfordshire, within this area, also provides the those within the Science Transit Arc) 5 shopping and commercial centres also provides for the shopping opportunity to promote and deliver and the planned housing growth, within the District. The centre provides needs of residents within the Sub- sustainable transport options, as well as allowing for strategic a reasonable range and mix of Area. Furthermore, housing growth allowing easy access between public transport and road access national and independent comparison in the Vale of White Horse makes homes, employment and facilities. to the area. The package includes 6 retailers and has a good range and a significant contribution to the improvements to the cycle and public choice of non-retail services. The continued viability and vitality of 5.91 Working jointly with key transport network within, and to, the vitality and viability of Wantage Didcot Town Centre. partners, including Oxfordshire area, as well as necessary upgrades town centre will be maintained and County Council, we have investigated to roads and road junctions to allow 7 enhanced through the implementation the impact of the proposed for growth (Figures 5.6 a to c). of Core Policy 32. growth within this area and have identified a significant package of

65 http://m.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/sites/default/files/folders/documents/roadsandtransport/transportpoliciesandplans/localtransportplan/ltp3/May2011CompleteApprovedLTP3.pdf

Local Plan 2031: Part One 87 Sub-Area Strategies 5 South East Vale

5.93 The measures are consistent with the Local Transport Plan 4 which was approved by Oxfordshire County Council Cabinet in July 2015. Of relevance to Vale of White Horse, Local Transport Plan 4 includes a Science Vale Area Strategy, as well as a Science Transit Strategy and an A420 Strategy. In addition to the highway schemes identified in the LTP4 Science Vale Area Strategy the Local Plan also safeguards land to deliver a West Wantage Link Road (WWLR) connecting the A417 from Mably Way in Wantage to East Challow, a South Abingdon bypass crossing the Thames and connecting with the A415 and some junction improvement schemes. These are safeguarded to ensure their future delivery is not compromised, should they be Figure 5.6a: Map showing the proposed road and junction improvements within the Science Vale area found to be needed later in the plan period, or beyond.

88 Vale of White Horse District Council Sub-Area Strategies 5 South East Vale

1 Figure 5.6b: Map showing the proposed Science Vale strategic cycle network

Figure 5.6c: Map showing the proposed improvements to the bus network within the Science Vale area 3

Local Plan 2031: Part One 89 Sub-Area Strategies 5 South East Vale

5.94 The strategic importance of out the requirement for all strategic with the Saved Local Plan 2011 the highway schemes identified in growth within the Sub-Area to allocation at Grove Airfield and the the Science Vale Area Strategy have contribute towards strategic highway new strategic allocation at Monks been acknowledged at a larger than infrastructure. Farm (refer to the Site Development local planning level. Local authorities Templates shown by Appendix A). have been working together through 5.97 The housing supply ring-fence the Oxfordshire Growth Board and (Core Policy 5 - Chapter 4) supports the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise our Spatial Strategy to ensure Partnership to identify funding housing is located in the Science Vale mechanisms for this infrastructure area and in close proximity to the to secure its delivery. As part of projected new jobs. This approach this work the package has been will also focus financial contributions identified as one of the top priority from development to help deliver the projects within the Oxfordshire Local essential infrastructure needed to Investment Plan66. support sustainable development.

5.95 Core Policy 7 (Chapter 5.98 In addition to the infrastructure 4) sets out the principle that all identified within the Science Vale developments will contribute to Area Strategy, there is an existing infrastructure provision as identified in requirement for a development © Milton Park the Infrastructure Delivery Plan67 that road to serve the Local Plan 2011 supports the Local Plan 2031 Part 1. allocation at Grove Airfield. This is known as the Grove Northern Link 5.96 Without investment in the Road (GNLR) and is required to identified infrastructure, the growth provide access to the Grove Airfield in the Science Vale area would be site from the A338. It does not form unsustainable and be put at risk. part of the Science Vale Area Strategy For this reason, Core Policy 17 sets and will be provided in association

66 Spatial Planning and Infrastructure Partnership (2010) Oxfordshire Local Investment Plan, available at: https://www.oxford.gov.uk/downloads/download/501/oxfordshire_local_investment_plan 67 http://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/evidence

90 Vale of White Horse District Council Sub-Area Strategies 5 South East Vale

Core Policy 17: Delivery of Strategic Highway Improvements within the South-East Vale Sub-Area 2

In order to deliver the growth in the South East Vale Sub-Area and the • Science Bridge and A4130 re-routing through the Didcot A site wider Science Vale area, the Science Vale Area Strategy has identified • A4130 dualling between Milton Interchange and Science Bridge highways infrastructure to mitigate the impact of the planned growth • a new Harwell Link Road between the B4493 and A417 and Southern 3 across Science Vale and secure the future economic viability of the area. Didcot Spine Road The package will be further refined through development of the Local • a new strategic road connection between the A415 east of Abingdon- Transport Plan 4 being developed by Oxfordshire County Council, and the on-Thames and the A4130 north of Didcot, including a new crossing of Local Plan 2031 Part 2. the River Thames 4 • route improvements to the A417 between Wantage and Blewbury All development within the South East Vale Sub-Area will be required • improvement of the strategic cycle network to contribute in accordance with Core Policy 7: Providing Supporting • improvement to the bus network, particularly between the strategic

Infrastructure and Services. Within the South East Vale Sub-Area this housing and employment growth, including a priority bus system 5 will include contributions towards the infrastructure identified within the between Harwell Campus and Didcot Science Vale Area Strategy: • a West Wantage Relief Road.

• access to the strategic road network, for example, improvements to the 6 A34 at the Milton and Chilton junctions • Backhill Lane tunnel (pedestrian and cycle link) and junction on the A4130

• a new link road at north east Wantage between the A338 and A417 7 (known as the Wantage Eastern Link Road) • relief to the road network at Rowstock and Harwell (including an improved junction configuration at Steventon Lights, upgrading Featherbed Lane and Hagbourne Hill)

Local Plan 2031: Part One 91 Sub-Area Strategies 5 South East Vale

Safeguarding of land Rail services for strategic highway Core Policy 18: Safeguarding of Land for improvements within the South Didcot East Vale Sub-Area Transport Schemes in the South East Vale Sub-Area 5.100 The Council is working 5.99 The planning and funding of with Oxfordshire County Council Land is safeguarded to support the delivery of the identified transport transport infrastructure can take and other partners to examine how schemes listed by Core Policies 17 and 19. a long time to prepare and it is the rail network can be accessed therefore important that our plans are more effectively and to deliver Any proposals for development that may reasonably be considered not compromised by inappropriate improvements to facilities at stations. development occurring in the interim. to impact the delivery of the identified transport schemes (as shown by the maps in Appendix E and the Adopted Policies Map)* should Core Policy 18 seeks to prevent 5.101 Whilst located within South demonstrate the proposal would not harm their delivery. development that may prejudice the Oxfordshire, Didcot Station is delivery of the required schemes nonetheless an important transport Planning permission will not be granted for development that would identified in the Science Vale Area hub for Vale residents, particularly for prejudice the construction or effective operation of the transport Strategy. those commuting or travelling outside schemes listed. of the district and functions as an important gateway for Science Vale. New development in these areas should be carefully designed For these reasons, Didcot Station having regard to matters such as building layout, noise insulation, is the focus for investment that will landscaping, the historic environment and means of access. Where lead to a step change in the station’s appropriate, further detail for these schemes will be set out in Local capacity for rail services, the delivery Plan 2031 Part 2. of an integrated transport hub with facilities for pedestrians, cyclists and bus users.

* the area shown on the Adopted Policies Map illustrates where Core Policy 18 will apply. It does not seek to show a precise alignment for the transport schemes, which will need to be informed by detailed design work, carried out in consultation with Oxfordshire County Council and other relevant parties.

92 Vale of White Horse District Council Sub-Area Strategies 5 South East Vale

1 5.102 The Oxfordshire Strategic Wantage and Grove • the electrification of the London Economic Plan68 identifies six to Bristol main line will increase discrete measures for improving 5.103 There are long-standing capacity of the network, and Didcot Railway Station, which are: ambitions to re-open the railway • the East West Rail link that will 2 station at Grove and the Council eventually connect Oxford and • construction of a deck access car will continue to support this aim in Cambridge may offer a longer term park on to the existing Foxhall accordance with Core Policy 19. opportunity to connect Oxford with Road car park to increase car Swindon or Bristol. 3 parking capacity 5.104 In 2009 the Association of • improved connectivity to enable Train Operating Companies (ATOC) four stopping trains an hour published Connecting Communities: Core Policy 19: Re-opening of Grove between Didcot and Oxford Expanding Access to the Rail Railway Station • additional platform to enable Network69, which identified the re- 4 north-south trains from opening of Grove Station as being The Council will continue to support the re-opening of the railway Southampton and Birmingham to within the top five best business station at Grove, ideally within the lifetime of this plan, and will work stop at Didcot cases for opening a new station with rail operators, Oxfordshire County Council and other partners to • construction of an underpass to across the whole of the UK. 5 develop and implement a strategy to re-open the station and ensure provide access from the north into opportunities to do so are maximised. the station 5.105 Furthermore, wider initiatives • firm plans for direct access to already being brought forward to Planning permission will not be granted for development that would Heathrow as part of the Western enhance the national rail network, 6 prejudice the construction or effective operation of the re-opening of Rail Access to Heathrow project may also help to enable the re- Grove Railway Station in accordance with Core Policy 18. without changes at Reading, and opening of Grove Station. Examples • rebuilding of Didcot Station include: to create an appropriate fit for 7 purpose gateway to Science Vale.

68 Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) (March 2014), Strategic Economic Plan: Driving economic growth through innovation, available at: http://www.oxfordshirelep.org.uk/sites/default/files/Oxford%20SEP_FINAL_March14_1_0.pdf 69 http://www.atoc.org/clientfiles/files/publicationsdocuments/ConnectingCommunitiesReport_S10.pdf

Local Plan 2031: Part One 93 Sub-Area Strategies 5 South East Vale

Protecting the 5.107 Wantage Market Place environment and contains many historic buildings responding to climate and groups of buildings that are change important to the overall ‘sense of place’ and quality of the town 5.106 The Sub-Area contains centre. Future development should many areas important for their be of high quality design and well environmental or landscape value. integrated with the existing built form These include the Letcombe Brook, and landscape setting of the town. a green corridor, which provides Heritage assets and their respective informal recreation, amenity and settings should be conserved. wildlife value and is an important flood management feature. Other land 5.108 The conservation and between East Challow and Wantage, enhancement of the North Wessex and Wantage and Grove helps to Downs AONB (as identified inFigure preserve the separate and unique 5.4) together with its Management identities of these communities and Plan will be supported (as required by so it is important these areas are the Countryside and Rights of Way protected from development. (CROW) Act 2000).

94 Vale of White Horse District Council Sub-Area Strategies 5 Western Vale

1 Western Vale Sub-Area 5.111 Significant growth is 5.113 This section sets out: Supporting economic Strategy planned in the Eastern Villages area prosperity within the neighbouring borough • how the Sub-Area will Introduction of Swindon to the west of this change by 2031, and Supporting sustainable 2 Sub-Area. The Council is working • our strategic policies to transport and accessibility 5.109 The Western Vale Sub-Area positively with Swindon Borough address the key challenges Core Policy 21: Safeguarding is predominantly rural in character Council, Oxfordshire County Council and opportunities identified of land for strategic highway and extends from the North Wessex and other partners to ensure the in the Sub-Area in relation to improvements within the 3 Downs Area of Outstanding Natural growth in both areas is coordinated, our four thematic areas, Western Vale Sub-Area Beauty (AONB) to the River Thames particularly in relation to transport along with other policy (Figure 5.8). The historic Market and the A420 corridor in considerations: Protecting the Town of Faringdon is the largest accordance with an agreed environment and 4 settlement within the Sub-Area and Statement of Common Ground. Building healthy and responding to climate functions as the main service centre sustainable communities change of the surrounding rural catchment. 5.112 Our overall priority for the Core Policy 20: Spatial Western Vale Sub-Area is to ensure Strategy for the Western Vale 5.110 The area contains many the service centre role of Faringdon Sub-Area 5 attractive villages, which range in is maintained and continues to – which sets out our strategic site size from small isolated hamlets meet the needs of the town and allocations for this area. to Larger Villages, such as East surrounding rural catchment. Challow, Shrivenham, Stanford-in- Future development should secure 6 the-Vale, Uffington and Watchfield. a housing and employment balance, Shrivenham and Watchfield are thus helping to improve the self- located approximately five miles sufficiency of the area. Development east of Swindon and house the within the Sub-Area should also 7 Shrivenham Hundred Business Park contribute towards upgrading the and the Defence Academy of the A420 to help reduce existing traffic United Kingdom, which includes a congestion. campus of Cranfield University.

Local Plan 2031: Part One 95 Sub-Area Strategies 5 Western Vale

Figure 5.8: Western Vale Sub-Area

96 Vale of White Horse District Council Sub-Area Strategies 5 Western Vale

How the Western Vale Sub-Area will The quality of the public area in the centre of change by 2031 Faringdon will have been improved, along with the revitalisation of the shopping and tourism offer. The 2 The Western Vale Sub-Area will continue to town will attract residents and visitors alike, serving be an attractive and prosperous rural area. as a gateway to the Cotswolds. The landscape Development will have been focused at Faringdon setting of Faringdon will have been preserved along with complementary growth in the Larger Villages, with ongoing protection for the AONB and Great 3 especially Shrivenham and Stanford-in-the-Vale. Western Community Forest. The quality of the rural environment will have been maintained. The countryside and villages will have maintained,

conserved and enhanced their distinctive character. 4 Faringdon will continue to be a thriving Market The Larger Villages will have retained their services Town providing an important service centre role and provide for residents’ day-to-day needs. New for the surrounding rural catchment. Its historic residents in the villages will be helping to sustain the

character and attractive landscape setting will have services and social life of the rural communities. 5 been maintained. New development will have been successfully integrated with the town and will have been provided alongside additional employment,

improving the self-sufficiency of the town. The 6 high quality business park, at the junction of Park Road and the A420, will be thriving and provide an attractive entrance to the town.

Local Plan 2031: Part One 97 Sub-Area Strategies 5 Western Vale

Strategic policies Faringdon and provide an opportunity Strategy for the Western Vale Sub- District Council will continue to work and other planning to help strengthen community Area positively with Swindon Borough considerations for the facilities. Council, Oxfordshire County Council Western Vale Sub-Area 5.119 This Sub-Area neighbours and the rural communities within the 5.116 Strategic housing the borough of Swindon to the west Western Vale Sub-Area to help ensure Building healthy and development is also proposed where significant development is any planned growth to the east of sustainable communities at Shrivenham and Stanford-in- proposed close to the borders of the Swindon does not adversely affect the the-Vale. These are sustainable Vale. Vale of White Horse west of the Vale and its rural villages to 5.114 Faringdon is a sustainable Larger Villages with good services a significant extent70. Market Town that acts as a service and facilities and good access to centre for a large rural catchment employment. Development will ensure to the west of the Vale. It has an the vitality and viability of these excellent range of services and rural communities are maintained facilities and further development, and facilitate the delivery of new adjoining Faringdon, including within infrastructure. Great Coxwell parish, will help to support the delivery of improvements 5.117 The strategic sites will be to the town through developer designed to integrate successfully contributions. These could include with the local community and upgrades to the A420 Junction at to minimise any harmful effects. Coxwell Road, provision of a new Appropriate infrastructure, such as primary school, and increasing the open space, leisure provision and frequency of public transport. new services and facilities will all be delivered alongside the housing. 5.115 Land has been identified for strategic development on a number 5.118 Our strategy for meeting our of sites at Faringdon. These are well housing needs in this Sub-Area is related to the existing built form of set out in Core Policy 20: Spatial

70 A Statement of Common Ground was agreed between Swindon Borough Council, Oxfordshire County Council, Vale of White Horse District Council and the Western Vale Villages in April 2014.

98 Vale of White Horse District Council Sub-Area Strategies 5 Western Vale

Core Policy 20: Spatial Strategy for Category Number of Western Vale Sub-Area Dwellings Housing requirement for the full plan period (Apr 2011 to Mar 2031) 3,173a 2 Housing Completions (Apr 2011 to Mar 2016) 860 Our overarching priority for this Sub-Area is to protect the service centre

role of Faringdon and deliver a balance of housing and employment to Housing Supply Known Commitments 732 improve the self-sufficiency of the area and to protect the vitality and (Apr 2016 to Mar 2031) 3 viability of our rural communities. Local Plan 2031 Part 1 allocations 1,650 Local Plan 2031 Part 2 allocations 222b Development in the Western Vale Sub-Area should be in accordance with Windfalls 240 the Settlement Hierarchy set out in Core Policy 3: a This target addresses needs arising in the Vale of White Horse. If or when required, 4 Western Vale Sub-Area needs arising elsewhere in the Housing Market Area, will be addressed in accordance with Core Policy 2. Market Town: Faringdon b The Local Plan Part 2 allocation will be reduced where dwellings are allocated in Larger Villages: East Challow, Shrivenham, Stanford-in- Neighbourhood Developments Plans or come forward through the Development Management Process. the-Vale, Uffington and Watchfield 5 Smaller Villages: Ashbury, Buckland, Childrey, Coleshill, Strategic Allocations Great Coxwell, Kingston Lisle, Little Coxwell, Littleworth, Longcot, Letcombe Development will be supported at the strategic allocations through a Regis and Shellingford 6 masterplanning process involving the community, local planning authority, Housing Delivery developer and other stakeholders where development meets the At least 3,173 new homes will be delivered in the plan period between requirements set out within the Site Development Templates shown by 2011 and 2031. 1,650 dwellings will be delivered through strategic Appendix A and are in accordance with the Development Plan taken as a allocations. 462 dwellings remain to be identified and will be allocated 7 whole. The following table shows how the level of housing required within through the Local Plan 2031 Part 2 or Neighbourhood Development Plans this Sub-Area through strategic development sites will be distributed: or through the Development Management process. The contribution of all sources of housing supply within this Sub-Area are shown by the following table: Continued overleaf

Local Plan 2031: Part One 99 Sub-Area Strategies 5 Western Vale

Core Policy 20: Spatial Strategy for Western Vale Sub-Area

Part 1 Allocations Employment

Settlement/ Settlement Site Name Number of 7.38 hectares of employment land will be provided for business and Parish Type Dwellings employment growth in accordance with Core Policy 6. In addition, the Faringdon Market Town Land South of Park 350 following strategic employment sites will be safeguarded for employment Road, Faringdonc use in line with Core Policy 29. South-West of 200 Strategic employment sites: Faringdon

Great Coxwell Adjoining East of Coxwell 200 Faringdon Park Road Industrial Estate Parish Faringdon c Road, Faringdon Land adjacent to A420, Faringdon Market Town South of Faringdon 200 Shrivenham Larger North of 500 Villages Shrivenham Stanford-in-the- West of Stanford- 200 Vale in-the-Vale Total 1,650

c These sites have ‘Resolution to Grant’ planning permission subject to completion of a legal agreement, as at Sept 2014.

100 Vale of White Horse District Council Sub-Area Strategies 5 Western Vale

1 Supporting economic Core Policy 2971. some capacity issues on the A420 The strategy helps to ensure this prosperity are likely to occur later in the plan important and strategic route 5.123 Faringdon town centre has period. This impact is partly as a continues to operate with minimal 5.120 The provision of employment a mix of shops and services that result of the development proposed congestion and to avoid rat runs on 2 in Faringdon is a key priority for meet day-to-day and local shopping in the Sub-Area and will particularly minor roads. the Sub-Area; helping to improve needs, but the range and choice of affect junctions accessing Faringdon the self-sufficiency of the town and shops could be improved. However, and Shrivenham. 5.126 The ETI has identified that reduce the need for out-commuting. the 2013 Retail Needs Assessment revised junctions are needed on for the Vale of White Horse District 5.125 Oxfordshire County Council the A420 at both Faringdon and 3 5.121 The employment indicates that the need for additional has worked with partners, including Shrivenham. For this reason, land development to be provided on the convenience floorspace in Faringdon Vale of White Horse District Council is safeguarded at these locations to strategic allocation to the South in the foreseeable future can largely and Swindon Borough Council to ensure these necessary upgrades 4 of Park Road will complement the be met by the new food store on develop a Route Strategy for the can be delivered alongside the saved Local Plan 2011 allocation Park Road72. A420 (between the A419 and A34) as planned growth at these settlements at the 4&20 Business Park of 4.2 part of the Local Transport Plan (LTP). in accordance with Core Policy 21. hectares. Supporting sustainable transport and accessibility 5 5.122 A number of employment allocations from the former Local Safeguarding of land Plan 2011 will also be saved. Some for strategic highway other smaller employment sites improvements within the 6 are no longer fit for purpose (for Western Vale Sub-Area example, Pioneer Road / south of Willes Close and north of Park Road 5.124 The Evaluation of Transport / south east of Volunteer Way) and it Impacts (ETI) Study73 that has been 7 may be appropriate for these sites to prepared to inform the Vale Local be redeveloped in accordance with Plan 2031 Part 1 has identified that

71 http://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/evidence 72 Nathanial Lichfield & Partners (NLP) (2012) Retail and Town Centre Study – Vale of White Horse District Council, March 2013 73 www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/evidence

Local Plan 2031: Part One 101 Sub-Area Strategies 5 Western Vale

Protecting the Core Policy 21: Safeguarding of Land for environment and responding to climate Strategic Highway Improvements within change the Western Vale Sub-Area Land is safeguarded to support the delivery of the following identified 5.127 The North Wessex Downs transport schemes: AONB extends across part of the Sub-Area and this area will continue • junction enhancement on the A420 at Faringdon and Shrivenham to be protected because of its high quality landscape and setting in New development in these areas should be carefully designed, having accordance with Core Policy 44. regard to matters such as building layout, noise insulation, landscaping and means of access. 5.128 The Great Western Community Forest covers an area of Any proposals for development that may reasonably be considered to 168 square miles around Swindon impact the delivery of the identified schemes (as shown by maps in and extends as far as Faringdon Appendix E and the Adopted Policies Map)* should demonstrate the to the east. The project aims to proposal would not harm their delivery. produce long-term environmental improvements by promoting tree Planning permission will not be granted for development that would planting and woodland management prejudice the construction or effective operation of the transport and has supported the regeneration schemes listed above. of woodland around Faringdon Folly. Development proposals in the forest area should demonstrate how they will contribute to the objectives of the project. * the area shown on the Adopted Policies Map illustrates where policy CP21 will apply. It does not seek to show a precise alignment for the transport scheme, which will need to be informed by detailed design work, carried out in consultation with Oxfordshire County Council and other relevant parties.

102 Vale of White Horse District Council 1

Local Plan 2031: Part One 103 Overview 6 The Local Plan 2031 Part 1 establishes a strategic policy framework to guide development in the Vale up to 2031. District Wide This chapter sets out those strategic policies necessary to complement the Spatial Strategy (Chapter 4) and Sub-Area Strategies (Chapter 5) to ensure planned growth is sustainable. The policies will apply across Policies the Vale and provide greater detail to ensure a balance is met between addressing local housing needs, supporting economic growth and conserving and enhancing the Vale’s high quality natural, historic and built environment, and the quality of life in existing settlements.

The policies in this chapter have been developed where national guidance alone is not sufficient to deliver the Council’s vision. The policies therefore build on, rather than duplicate, national guidance.

Some of the policies set out in the Vale Local Plan 2011 will continue to be saved and relied upon (and used alongside new Local Plan policies) for day-to-day decision making on planning applications until they are reviewed as part of the Local Plan 2031 Part 2. The Council has published an assessment of the consistency of Saved Local Plan 2011 policies when compared with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). This will be used to help ensure that the saved policies are applied appropriately alongside the NPPF.

The policies are structured into the four thematic areas, which are common throughout the plan:

• building healthy and sustainable communities • supporting economic prosperity • supporting sustainable transport and accessibility, and • protecting the environment and responding to climate change

104 Vale of White Horse District Council 6 District Wide Policies

1 Building healthy and sustainable communities

Introduction term demographic trends towards % Core Policy 23: Housing Density homes are well designed and

an ageing population and a higher – which seeks to ensure that easily adapted to the changing 2 6.1 The Local Plan 2031 Part 1 number of smaller sized households. residential dwellings are provided needs of residents throughout their has a key role in helping to build For these reasons, our vision and at an appropriate density to reflect lives. sustainable communities in the Vale objectives (Chapter 3) seek to the need to use land efficiently and helping to meet the diverse needs increase the supply of new housing whilst also taking account of local % Core Policy 27: Meeting the 3 of the people living there. This will be and ensure that the right size, type circumstances. Housing Needs of Gypsies, achieved in part through the Spatial and tenure of housing is delivered Travellers and Travelling Strategy (set out in Chapter 4) that to address the needs of existing % Core Policy 24: Affordable Showpeople – which seeks seeks to direct new development and future residents. They also seek Housing – which sets out to provide for the needs of 4 to the most sustainable locations to address the specific needs of the Council’s approach to the gypsies, travellers and travelling and in communities with the best vulnerable groups (such as the elderly provision of affordable housing showpeople. range of services and facilities. and those with disabilities). as part of new residential Furthermore, the Sub-Area Strategies development. 5 (set out in Chapter 5), are focused 6.3 We have set out a number of on addressing more location-specific site specific proposals and policies % Core Policy 25: Rural Exception issues and the needs of different parts relating to housing in our Sub-Area Sites – which identifies the of the District. Strategies included within Chapter circumstances in which affordable 6 5. This section includes policies housing can be provided on 6.2 Chapter 2 of this plan identified that apply across the whole district. ‘exception sites’ in the rural areas, a number of key challenges and These are: where residential development opportunities facing this thematic area would not normally be permitted. for achieving sustainable communities • Core Policy 22: Housing Mix – 7 and these include the high cost of which seeks to ensure that the % Core Policy 26: Accommodating housing and the disparity between right mix of housing sizes, types Current and Future Needs of income levels and housing costs and tenures are provided on all An Ageing Population – which in the district. It showed the long- residential development sites. sets out measures to ensure new

Local Plan 2031: Part One 105 6 District Wide Policies

Housing mix

6.4 It is important that housing 6.5 The SHMA acknowledges the provision across the district reflects longer-term objective to deliver a Core Policy 22: the needs of an ageing population more balanced stock, which reflects and growth in smaller households. the identified needs of the area, but Housing Mix The Strategic Housing Market this objective must be seen in the Assessment (SHMA) provides details context of viability. As a result, Core A mix of dwelling types and sizes to meet the needs of current and future of the recommended mix of housing Policy 22 adopts a flexible approach households will be required on all new residential developments. This type and size. The assessment to the implementation of housing mix. should be in accordance with the Council’s current Strategic Housing identifies that there is most need in Market Assessment unless an alternative approach can be demonstrated the Open Market sector for 3-bed 6.6 Additional policy detail will be to be more appropriate through the Housing Register or where proven to units with the lowest need for 1-bed set out in the Local Plan 2031 Part be necessary due to viability constraints*. units. For affordable housing, there 2 to determine the specific needs of is a greater need for 2-bed units with housing types and sizes on strategic *Viability should be set out in an independent viability assessment on the lowest need for 4-bed units74. housing development sites within the terms agreed by the relevant parties including the Council and funded by It is important that new housing Science Vale area. the developer. This will involve an open book approach. addresses any imbalance within the existing stock and the impact of demographic and household change. It is also important to provide the type of housing needed to attract people to live and work locally and built to a size and standard that supports a good quality of life.

74 Strategic Housing Market Assessment (2014) Tables 65 and 66

106 Vale of White Horse District Council 6 District Wide Policies

1 Housing density townscape context and creating enclosure to streets and spaces. 6.7 New housing should provide good quality, attractive and 2 acceptable living environments. Core Policy 23: Density is an important consideration in delivering these high quality Housing Density environments. Historically, some 3 of the most successful settlements On all new housing develop- included high density development, ments a minimum density of such as medieval villages and town 30 dwellings per hectare (net) centres and Georgian, Victorian and will be required unless specif- 4 Edwardian terraces. This is often the ic local circumstances indicate case in many of the District’s market that this would have an adverse towns and village centres. effect on the character of the area, highway safety or the 6.8 Land is a finite resource amenity of neighbours. Higher 5 and should be used efficiently. densities will be encouraged in Consideration is needed for local locations where it will result in context of proposed development sites the optimum use of land, where and new development should seek there is good access to services 6 to achieve a target net75 density of at and public transport routes, least 30 dwellings per hectare. Higher and where it would contribute or lower densities may be acceptable to enhancing the character and and the approach to density should legibility of a place. 7 be justified in the Design and Access Statement and relate to urban structure, legibility, landscape and

75 Net Density excludes major elements of supporting uses such as open space, community facilities, infrastructure etc.

Local Plan 2031: Part One 107 6 District Wide Policies

Affordable housing under previous policy requirements, affordable housing contributions 6.9 Affordable housing is provided will be sought in accordance with for rent or purchase on a subsidised the policies within the up-to-date basis to eligible households who Development Plan. cannot meet their needs on the open market76. There are currently three 6.12 The Council’s affordable housing main types of affordable housing policy gives consideration for how tenures: social rented, affordable viability can affect the successful rented and intermediate77. delivery of development and has been informed by a Viability Study. 6.10 Securing new affordable The Study demonstrates that a 35 % housing on-site as part of new target for affordable housing brings developments is the most effective more sites into viability than that with way to provide new supply. The on- a higher rate. However, this matter site provision of completed units should be considered on a case-by- by a developer is the Council’s case basis and give consideration to preferred approach and it is expected wider infrastructure requirements, as that the vast majority of residential set out in the Council’s Infrastructure developments will be capable of Delivery Plan. A Community delivering affordable housing on the Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is also same site. being prepared alongside the Local housing will be set in out in the Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Plan 2031 to support the delivery of Document (SPD). Furthermore, policy detail relating to the specific need for 6.11 When a new application is necessary infrastructure (see also affordable housing on strategic housing development sites in the Science Vale submitted on a site with extant Core Policy 7). area will be set out in the Local Plan 2031 Part 2. or lapsed planning permission for housing that did not need to 6.13 Additional details on the Council’s contribute to affordable housing approach to delivering affordable

76 Eligibility for affordable housing is determined with regard to local incomes and house prices 77 This is a form of affordable housing that can include shared equity. For further details refer to glossary in the Appendix

108 Vale of White Horse District Council 6 District Wide Policies

Core Policy 24: Affordable Housing 2

The Council will seek 35 % affordable housing on all sites capable of a iv. full off-site delivery net gain of eleven or more dwellings. There should be a 75:25 split for v. part off-site delivery and part commuted sum rented (either social or affordable) and intermediate housing respectively. vi. commuted sum which shall be based on the open market 3 In circumstances where it can be demonstrated that the level of affordable value of units to be delivered on site in lieu of full-on or off-site housing being sought would be unviable, alternative tenure mixes and levels delivery of affordable housing provision, may be considered. Any difference in tenure mix or percentage of affordable housing to be delivered will need to be In cases where the 35 % calculation provides a part unit, a financial supported by a viability assessment*. contribution will be sought, equivalent to that part unit. 4

Any affordable housing provided should: Off-site contributions and/or financial contributions for the provision of affordable housing in lieu of on-site provision will not be appropriate, i. be of a size and type which meets the requirements of those in unless it can be robustly justified that: 5 housing need, and ii. be indistinguishable in appearance from the market housing on vii. it is not physically possible or feasible to provide affordable site and distributed evenly across the site housing on the application site, or viii. there is evidence that a separate site would more satisfactorily 6 The Council’s preference is for on-site affordable housing provision (with the meet local housing need and contribute to the creation of exception of part units). Only in exceptional circumstances will any other scenario sustainable mixed communities. be considered. In such cases the following delivery hierarchy will be considered: Planning permission will be refused for development proposals where it 7 iii. mix of on-and off-site delivery with the level of affordable appears that a larger site has been sub-divided into smaller development housing to be achieved to be ‘broadly equivalent’ to that which parcels in order to avoid the requirements of the affordable housing policy. would have been delivered on-site

*Viability should be set out in an independent viability assessment on terms agreed by the relevant parties including the Council and funded by the developer. This will involve an open book approach.

Local Plan 2031: Part One 109 6 District Wide Policies

Rural exception sites 6.16 Housing schemes approved 6.14 The ‘rural exception site’ policy under the Rural Exceptions Policy is aimed at providing homes for local must be genuinely designed to meet people, who are unable to rent or buy a specific local need. The homes a property on the open market in rural will be allocated in accordance with locations. the Council’s allocations policy with priority given to those households 6.15 Schemes should be supported with the required local connection in principle by the local community, which is clearly set out in the policy. as represented by the relevant parish The Council’s housing team may be council. To facilitate this approach, a able to give a preliminary indication detailed housing needs assessment of whether there is sufficient need in must be carried out following a the village to pursue a scheme. methodology agreed with the District and to include formal engagement 6.17 Early discussion with the with the local parish councils before Council will be essential to establish a planning application is made. The whether a particular site is likely to be housing needs assessment must suitable for a rural exception housing conditions. It will also be important to involve a registered provider or housing include the following information: scheme. trust who can retain a long-term interest in the housing and thus control subsequent changes of ownership and occupation in accordance with the • the present housing circumstances 6.18 Secure arrangements must agreed criteria. and income levels of those be made to ensure that the scheme considered to be in need, related to meets the local needs that have been local house prices and rent levels identified and remains affordable, • the connection of the likely both initially and in respect of occupants with the village or nearby successive occupiers. The precise village, and nature of these arrangements may • the type and size of dwellings that vary but will most often be achieved would meet their requirements. through a legal agreement or planning

110 Vale of White Horse District Council 6 District Wide Policies

Core Policy 25: Rural Exception Sites 2

Affordable housing schemes will be permitted on sites that would not vi. it will not adversely impact upon designated heritage assets or otherwise be acceptable for housing development, providing the scheme their setting (i.e. Listed Buildings, Conservation Areas, Registered would satisfy the following: Parks and Gardens, Scheduled Monuments, and non-designated 3 Heritage Assets) i. it meets a clearly established local need identified through a robust vii. it is located in a sustainable location with good access to public housing needs assessment in accordance with a methodology transport, employment and local services/facilities, and agreed with the District Council viii. is consistent with Core Policy 42: Flood Risk. ii. it is designed to meet the established need of a village (or its 4 neighbouring village) in terms of dwelling numbers, types, sizes and Where robust evidence establishes that viability issues* would prevent the affordability delivery of an exception site, the minimum level of market housing required iii. it includes secure arrangements to ensure that all the houses will to make the development viable will be favourably considered where it be occupied by local people in need of affordable housing and that would ensure the provision of significant additional affordable housing to 5 the benefits of the low cost provision will remain available to local meet local needs. people in the long term iv. it is located within or on the edge of a village and would not harm Any market housing included in a scheme (where considered necessary the character, visual amenity or setting of settlements, particularly for reasons of viability) should be constructed to reflect the character of 6 in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The design, layout the affordable units and be sympathetic to the rural location. and materials of new housing complements and enhances its surrounding natural and built environment v. is consistent with Green Belt policy as set out in the National 7 Planning Policy Framework and Core Policy 13

*Viability should be set out in an independent viability assessment on terms agreed by the relevant parties including the Council and funded by the developer. This will involve an open book approach.

Local Plan 2031: Part One 111 District Wide Policies Core Policy 26: 6 Accommodating Current and Future Needs of the Ageing Population Accommodating current and changing needs of residents over In order to meet the needs of current and future households in the future needs of the ageing time. The Council will consider a context of an ageing population, the following requirements will be population need to set out higher accessibility, sought subject to the viability* of provision on each site: adaptability and wheelchair housing 6.19 The district has an ageing standards through Local Plan Part 2, in i. residential dwelling houses designed for older people (with or without population. Over the plan period accordance with the National Planning Extra Care) should be provided in the strategic site allocations in the the 65+ age group is projected to Practice Guidance in identifying Local Plan 2031 Part 1 and other suitable locations. increase by 58 % between 2010 optional technical standards. ii. where possible, residential dwellings designed for older people and 2030 to represent 26 % of the should be located within close proximity to public transport routes, district’s total population by 203078. 6.22 There are a range of models retail and other local facilities, including for health care. The high level of growth in this age that can play a part in providing iii. where residential dwelling houses for older people (with or without group is a key demographic driver specialist accommodation for the Extra Care) are provided, wherever possible it should be on a mixed- and should be adequately addressed elderly. These include sheltered tenure basis in accordance with the requirements of Core Policy 24: in the Local Plan 2031 to ensure that and enhanced sheltered housing, Affordable Housing. housing supply addresses the current Extra Care housing, retirement iv. where standards that would apply to general housing have been and future needs of older people. villages, continuing care retirement relaxed in response to the special needs of the occupiers of the communities and registered care scheme, the occupancy will be limited to accord with the nature of 6.20 As the population of the district homes both with and without nursing the scheme. increases and ages, the level of care. The Council’s preference is for *Viability should be set out in an independent viability assessment on terms agreed by the disabilities and health issues amongst Extra Care housing or schemes which relevant parties including the Council and funded by the developer. This will involve an open the older population is likely to increase include an element of Extra Care book approach. significantly, along with the specialist provision within them, in accordance housing to address their needs. with the County Council’s Extra Care possible. Where the accommodation for the elderly (with or without care) Housing Strategy79. caters for mobile residents, it should includes an affordable housing 6.21 In delivering homes that will be located on sites in or adjacent component, this can count towards meet the current and future needs of 6.23 Specialist accommodation to the towns or within the Larger the overall 35% affordable housing the ageing population, it is important for the elderly should be provided Villages80. Where any scheme requirement if part of a wider that new homes are adaptable to the on a mixed-tenure basis wherever providing specialist accommodation development.

78 2010-based sub national population projections available at http://www.oxford.gov.uk/districtdata/ 79 OCC Extra Care Housing Strategy, January 2008 80 A Framework for an Oxfordshire Extra Care Housing Strategy, Oxfordshire County Council, January 2008

112 Vale of White Horse District Council 6 District Wide Policies Core Policy 27: 1 Meeting the needs of Gypsies 6.26 For the Vale of White Horse Meeting the housing needs of Gypsies, and Travellers and Travelling District, the identified need is for 13 Travellers and Travelling Show People Show People additional permanent Gypsy and The Council will enable or provide for at least 13 pitches for gypsies and Traveller pitches to be delivered travellers during the plan period to 2031. Existing sites will be safeguarded. 2 6.24 The needs of the Gypsies, during the plan period. For the Travellers and Travelling Show Travelling Show People community, The identified need will be met by a combination of the following: People communities are important the assessment identified that no i. implementation of extant planning permissions to us to ensure we develop a fair plots are needed within the district ii. extending existing sites where possible to meet the needs of 3 and effective strategy to meet these during this plan period. existing residents and their families needs, particularly through the iii. allocating specific deliverable sites through Local Plan 2031 Part identification of land for pitches. 2 to meet any remaining identified need.

6.25 The Gypsy, Traveller 4 Proposals to meet the identified need will be permitted where it has been and Travelling Show People demonstrated that the following criteria have been met: Accommodation Needs Assessment iv. the site is not located within the Oxford Green Belt (2013)81, prepared jointly with Oxford v. the development will not harm the Area of Outstanding Natural City Council and South Oxfordshire 5 Beauty, areas of high landscape or ecological value, or heritage District Council, assessed the assets and their setting housing needs for the Gypsy, vi. the development will not have an adverse impact on the character Traveller and Travelling Show People of the area, highway safety or the amenities of neighbouring communities within these areas. 6 properties vii. the site is located within a reasonable walking distance of key local services including a primary school, a local shop and a public transport service 7 viii. the site can be provided with safe vehicular and pedestrian access, electricity, mains drinking water, sewage connections and waste disposal facilities.

81 Oxford City, South Oxfordshire District and Vale of White Horse District Council’s Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Show People Accommodation Needs Assessment. Opinion Research Services 2013

Local Plan 2031: Part One 113 6 District Wide Policies

Supporting economic 6.29 Any site or area specific prosperity policies are included in our Sub-Area Strategies (Chapter 5). This section 6.27 The Spatial Strategy set out sets out policies that apply across the in Chapter 4 seeks to support district, these are: economic prosperity in the Vale by focusing sustainable growth in % Core Policy 28: New the Science Vale area. The Spatial Employment Development Strategy also seeks to reinforce on Unallocated Sites – which the service centre roles of the main sets out the Council’s approach settlements across the district, to assessing proposals for including by directing new shops and employment on sites not already facilities towards these settlements, allocated. and to promote thriving villages and rural communities. % Core Policy 29: Change of Use of Existing Employment Land and 6.28 The policies in this section Premises – which sets out the complement the policies included Council’s approach to assessing in Chapters 4 and 5 by setting out proposals for change of use. policies that will apply across the whole district to assist decision % Core Policy 30: Further and making and to support the delivery Higher Education – which seeks of our Strategic Objectives. They to support enhanced provision to will help to support a strong and enhance access to skills across sustainable economy within the Vale’s the district. towns and rural areas and to maintain % Core Policy 32: Retail determining proposals for retail and enhance the vitality and viability % Core Policy 31: Development to Development and other Main and town centre uses. of the Vale’s town centres and local Support the Visitor Economy – Town Centre Uses – which sets shopping centres to strengthen their which seeks to support the visitor out the Council’s approach to service centre roles. and tourism sector across the district.

114 Vale of White Horse District Council 6 District Wide Policies

1 New employment development on Core Policy 28: unallocated sites New Employment Development on

Unallocated Sites 2 6.30 The Local Plan 2031 Part 1 6.31 In the rural areas, outside the sets out employment allocations Market Towns, Local Service Centres Proposals for new employment development (Use Classes B1, B2 or within Core Policy 6. There is a and Larger and Smaller Villages, B8) will be supported on unallocated sites in or on the edge of, the strong focus on the Science Vale new employment activities can be built up area of Market Towns, Local Service Centres and Larger and 3 area, with a total of 157 hectares accommodated with least impact on Smaller Villages provided that the benefits are not outweighed by any allocated to Milton Park and the landscape through the re-use, harmful impacts, taking into account the following: Harwell Campus, and 29 hectares conversion or adaptation of suitable to be provided at the Didcot A existing buildings. However, there is i. the effect on the amenity of nearby residents and occupiers 4 Power Station site. Core Policy some flexibility for new employment ii. the provision of safe site access for pedestrians and cyclists 28 complements these allocations buildings to come forward in the rural and for all types of vehicles likely to visit the sites, and by supporting appropriate B-Class areas if there are no suitable existing measures to promote the use of sustainable modes of transport employment development on buildings available for re-use, where possible, and unallocated sites across the district. providing that the proposals meet the iii. the scale, nature and appearance of the employment 5 other criteria set out in the policy. development and its relationship with the local townscape and/ or landscape character

In the rural areas the re-use, conversion or adaptation of suitable 6 existing buildings for employment will also be supported subject to criteria (i)-(iii) where applicable. Other rural proposals will be supported, provided that, in addition to criteria (i)-(iii) where applicable:

7 iv. the proposal cannot reasonably be accommodated on employment land identified as vacant or developable, and v. it can be demonstrated that the proposal will benefit the local economy and will not undermine the delivery of the strategic employment allocations.

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Change of use of existing 6.33 There are a number of key as small-scale shops and recreation prospect of being used for employment land and premises existing strategic employment sites, facilities. Core Policy 29 will apply employment purposes, applicants at the main settlements and in the to any applications for non B-class will be expected to demonstrate 6.32 In addition to supporting Science Vale area, where retention uses at Milton Park which are not that the site is no longer viable for appropriate new employment of the existing employment uses permitted by the LDO. its present, or any other realistic development, there is also a need will be particularly important to help and suitable, employment use. They to protect important existing deliver our overall Spatial Strategy. 6.35 There are also a number of must demonstrate that the site has employment sites in the Vale. This will These strategic employment sites are rural employment sites that make an remained un-sold or un-let for at least help ensure the overall employment listed in the Sub-Area Strategies in important contribution to the local 12 months. In addition, applicants provision is increased over the Local Chapter 5. Core Policy 29 sets out economy and provide employment will need to provide evidence relating Plan 2031 period. The Government the Council’s intention to safeguard opportunities in rural locations across to the marketing of the site for its has introduced new permitted land and premises on these existing the district. These rural multi-user present use for a minimum period of development rights that impact upon sites and on sites allocated for new sites and large campus style sites 12 months up to the date at which existing employment uses in the employment development (also listed (listed in Appendix D) are identified the planning application was lodged. district82. Vale of White Horse District in the Sub-Area Strategies in Chapter in the Local Plan 2011 and will be This should demonstrate that despite Council will continue to monitor 5), for employment uses. reviewed through the Local Plan 2031 genuine and sustained attempts to the impacts of these rights on the Part 2. sell or let a site on reasonable terms district. Should we consider them to 6.34 There is an adopted Local for employment use, they have failed potentially conflict with our Spatial Development Order (LDO) that covers 6.36 Proposals for alternative uses to do so. Strategy, we will seek an Article 4 the Milton Park site83 for a period of on these rural employment sites direction to maintain control of our 15 years from December 2012. The and other employment land and strategic employment sites. Core LDO permits an element of non-B premises in the district will need to Policy 29 will apply to all proposals class employment generating uses demonstrate that at least one of the for changes of use of existing (specifically car dealership and criteria set out in Core Policy 29 will employment land and premises that private healthcare uses) and also be met. are not covered by the new permitted allows for some other uses that will development rights. help support the sustainability and 6.37 In seeking to demonstrate viability of the business park, such that a site has no reasonable

82 http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/permission/commonprojects/changeofuse/ 83 Milton Park Local Development Order, December 2012, available at: http://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/services-and-advice/planning-and-building/milton-park-local-development-order

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1 6.38 The site’s potential contribution to the local and wider economy must Core Policy 29: be considered, both currently and in the long term, taking proper account Change of Use of Existing Employment 2 of the economic cycle and the likely Land and Premises future needs of the economy. The The strategic employment sites, as listed in the Sub-Area Strategies, Council will need to be satisfied that form part of the District’s reserve for employment land to meet the change of use of the employment objectively assessed employment needs and will be safeguarded 3 site would not jeopardise the for employment uses. Alternative uses will be considered if they provision of sufficient employment provide ancillary supporting services or meet a need identified land across the district to meet the through the Local Plan 2031 review process, or exceptionally where identified need. a reassessment of the district-wide 2013 Employment Land Review demonstrates that these sites are no longer needed over the full plan 4 6.39 Saved Policy E13 of the Local period. Plan 2011 sets out the circumstances in which ancillary uses will be Elsewhere in the District, where there is no reasonable prospect of land permitted on employment sites. or premises being used for continued employment use, a mixed use 5 This policy will be reviewed through enabling development which incorporates employment space should the Local Plan 2031 Part 2, and will first be considered. If a mixed use scheme is not viable, the extent to continue to be used alongside the which the proposed use generates new employment will be considered Local Plan 2031 Part 1 until such in determining the relevant planning application. 6 time as it is replaced. Proposals for alternative uses will need to demonstrate compliance with other relevant policies. 7

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Further and higher education provision Core Policy 30:

6.40 Growth in the Science Vale area 6.41 Core Policy 30 identifies the Further and Higher Education is expected to lead to an increase most appropriate locations for further in the number of jobs in high tech and higher education facilities. The The Council will support the development and enhancement of further and science-based industries in Council will support, where consistent and higher education facilities to help support the local economy the Vale. Core Policy 30 supports with the other relevant policies in this and to ensure the local labour force is equipped to take advantage improvements to further and higher plan, the development and expansion of the opportunities likely to arise in the future. The most appropriate education facilities to help ensure of higher education facilities at Oxford locations for further and higher education provision are: local people have opportunities to Brookes University Harcourt Hill gain the skills needed to access the Campus and at Cranfield University i. by the extension or more intensive use of existing education or jobs available and local employers (Defence Academy) at Watchfield. other suitable community facilities have access to a suitably skilled local ii. within identified strategic employment locations, provided that labour force. the training offered is clearly relevant to meet the needs of businesses in that strategic employment location, and iii. in the main settlements and other locations with good pedestrian and cycle access and well served by public transport connections between the proposed facility and its likely student catchment.

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1 Development to support the 6.44 Core Policy 31 supports new Core Policy 31: visitor economy development in the visitor economy, Development to Support the including hotels and guest houses. 6.42 The benefits of the visitor Development should be of an Visitor Economy 2 economy can include indirect appropriate scale and character in The Council encourages new development to advance the visitor economy impacts such as acting as a positive relation to the location. Proposals for leisure and business purposes. Proposals will be supported as follows: force for protecting and improving for development relating to the the environment, as well as the direct visitor economy within the Oxford i. within the built-up areas of the Market Towns and Local Service Centres 3 economic gains arising from visitor Green Belt or the North Wessex - larger scale developments including conference facilities, museums, economy related expenditure. The Downs AONB will need to be in heritage centres, hotels, guest houses and associated facilities for Vale is well-placed to take advantage accordance with the relevant Local visitors of this, being close to the visitor Plan 2031 policies for these areas or ii. within the built-up areas of the Larger and Smaller Villages - smaller attractions of the city of Oxford in accordance with Saved Policies and proportionately scaled developments that are in keeping with the 4 and the River Thames, and with the NE7, NE 8, NE9, NE10, NE11 and character of the settlement, including museums, heritage centres, hotels, Ridgeway National Trail passing NE12 until these policies are updated guest houses, self-catering accommodation and associated facilities for through the south of the district. through Local Plan Part 2. visitors iii. at Milton Park and Harwell Campus - ancillary business hotel and 5 6.43 A joint Hotel Needs conference facilities, and Assessment has been prepared iv. at service areas on the main transport corridors - hotel accommodation. with South Oxfordshire District Council84 and confirms the need Outside the above locations, small-scale development to support the 6 for a significant increase in hotel visitor economy, including farm diversification and equine development, supply in the Science Vale area. It will be supported provided that proposals are in keeping with the scale has also identified the potential need and character of the locality and which would not adversely affect heritage for hotels in the Market Towns of assets or their setting. Larger developments will only be supported in 7 Abingdon-on-Thames and Wantage exceptional circumstances, for example to sensitively re-use a historic and on the fringe of the city of Oxford building, or to proportionally support or enhance enjoyment of a significant at Botley. and established visitor attraction where this cannot reasonably be achieved from a town or village location.

84 www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/evidence

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Retail development and main 6.47 The focus for future retail 6.50 The main retail warehouse 6.52 Local plan policies that support town centre uses development and other town centre provision in the Vale is at Fairacres main town centre uses in other uses85 will continue to centre on Retail Park in Abingdon-on-Thames, locations include Core Policy 11: 6.45 The Vale has good local the primary and secondary retail the Limborough Road/Kings Park Botley Central Area, Core Policy 28: shopping provision in the Market frontages and town centre policy area in Wantage, and Seacourt New Employment Development on Towns and Local Service Centres. areas as defined in the Local Plan Retail Park in Botley. The Fairacres Unallocated Sites and Core Policy One of the Strategic Objectives of this 2011. Local shopping centres, also Retail Park accommodates a high 31: Development to support the Local Plan 2031 is to maintain and identified through the Adopted proportion of the total comparison Visitor Economy. enhance the vitality and viability of the Policies Map, will maintain a healthy retail floorspace in the district. existing centres in these settlements. level of shopping facilities that serves Any proposals for retail warehouse 6.53 The National Planning Policy the surrounding residential areas. development or redevelopment will Framework (NPPF) sets a default 6.46 It is important that existing need to follow the approach set out in threshold of 2,500 square metres gross centres remain active and vibrant 6.48 Consequently, we have saved a Core Policy 32. floorspace, above which all proposals in light of changing trends. Retail number of policies from the Local Plan for retail, leisure and office development growth suffered nationally during the 2011 and will review these as part of 6.51 As well as the shopping centres outside town centres that are not in economic downturn between 2008 our Local Plan 2031 Part 2 or where at the Market Towns and Local accordance with an up-to-date Local and 2012 and a number of important amended through a Neighbourhood Service Centres, there are also smaller Plan, should be accompanied by national operators failed during that Development Plan. These saved shopping centres in the Larger Villages an impact assessment86. The NPPF period. In addition, shopping from policies are identified inAppendix G. of Kennington, Kingston Bagpuize with indicates that this default will apply home has grown rapidly since the Southmoor, Shrivenham, Watchfield, where there is no threshold set locally. late 1990s and with the continued 6.49 Specific proposals for the and Wootton, and at Harwell Campus. We consider that a 2,500 square metres expansion of superfast broadband redevelopment of the Charter Area in Core Policy 32 supports the provision gross threshold is inappropriate in the to the more rural and remote areas Abingdon-on-Thames and the Botley of retail development at these Vale, as this scale of development of the District, it is predicted that this Central Area are supported by Core settlements, and also other Larger and would represent a significant proportion form of retail offering will continue to Policies 10 and 11 respectively in Smaller Villages, where this meets the of the overall retail need in the area. grow. the Abingdon-on-Thames and Oxford needs of the local community. Development smaller than 2,500 square Fringe Sub-Area Strategy. metres gross could have a significant

85 As defined in Annex 2 of the NPPF. Main town centre uses: Retail development (including warehouse clubs and factory outlet centres); leisure, entertainment facilities, the more intensive sport and recreation uses (including cinemas, restaurants, drive-through restaurants, bars and pubs, night-clubs, casinos, health and fitness centres, indoor bowling centres, and bingo halls); offices; and arts, culture and tourism development (including theatres, museums, galleries and concert halls, hotels and conference facilities).

86 Paragraph 26 of the National Planning Policy Framework, Communities and Local Government, March 2012

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1 adverse impact on the smaller town centres. Core Policy 32 therefore sets local floorspace thresholds, based on recommendations in the 2 2013 Retail and Town Centre Study. Any proposals that exceed the local floorspace thresholds will need to be accompanied by an impact assessment based on a methodology 3 and assumptions that have been agreed with the Council in advance.

6.54 In addition to supporting 4 appropriate proposals for new retail and other main town centres uses, it will also be important to protect the Vale’s existing local facilities 5 and services. The Local Plan 2011 includes policies CF1: Protection of Existing Services and Facilities, CF5: Public Houses Outside the Five Main 6 Towns and S14: Loss of Village and Other Local Shops. These policies will continue to be saved and will be used alongside the Local Plan 7 2031 Part 1 until such time as they are replaced or updated in the Local Plan 2031 Part 2 or a Neighbourhood Development Plan (Appendix G).

Local Plan 2031: Part One 121 6 District Wide Policies

Core Policy 32: Retail Development and other Main Town Centre Uses

The Market Towns and Local Service Centres defined in the Settlement iii. offices in employment locations where office use is identified Hierarchy (Core Policy 3) are the preferred locations for larger scale elsewhere in this plan to be appropriate. development or redevelopment for retailing and other main town centre uses. Proposals for retail or other main town centre uses that are on the edge For new retail proposals (Use Class A), first consideration should be given of or outside the town or local shopping centres, and are not supported to areas designated as primary and secondary shopping frontages1 and the by Local Plan policies, will only be supported if it is demonstrated that the redevelopment sites at the Charter area of Abingdon-on-Thames and the proposal satisfies the sequential approach to site selection, and, where the Botley Central Area. proposal exceeds the local floorspace thresholds set out below, an impact assessment confirms that there are no likely significant adverse impacts For other town centre uses, first consideration should be given to on the vitality and viability of nearby centres. The impact assessment opportunities within the designated town centre areas1 that are well methodology and assumptions are to be agreed with the Council in linked to the retail core by foot, including identified redevelopment sites, advance. before more peripheral locations are considered. Proposals for new retail development or changes of use to retail or other main town centre uses will The local floorspace thresholds for impact assessment are as follows: be supported elsewhere as follows: iv. 1,000 square metres gross retail floorspace for development likely i. for development primarily intended to serve the day-to-day needs to have an impact on Abingdon-on-Thames or Wantage town of the local community, within the Larger and Smaller Villages, and centres, and in the local shopping centres located within Abingdon-on-Thames, v. 500 square metres gross retail floorspace elsewhere in the district. Faringdon, Grove and Wantage1 ii. ancillary and proportionate food, drink and convenience retailing 1 As defined by the Adopted Policies Map or where amended through an within and primarily servicing the users of designated employment adopted Neighbourhood Development Plan areas, and

122 Vale of White Horse District Council 6 District Wide Policies

1 Supporting sustainable 6.58 The Oxfordshire Local % Core Policy 33: Promoting The local and strategic transport and accessibility Transport Plan 3 (2011-2030)88 sets Sustainable Transport and transport network out transport policies and area Accessibility – which seeks to Introduction transport strategies for the county up support key improvements to the 6.60 We have conducted a district 2 to 2030. It aims to deliver four local transport network. wide assessment of how our 6.55 Our approach seeks to transport goals: strategy may impact on the transport encourage sustainable modes of % Core Policy 34: A34 Strategy network89. This has been prepared transport and a reduction in the need % to support the local economy and – which sets out the Council’s in partnership with Oxfordshire 3 to travel. These are key features of the growth and competitiveness of support to the long-term strategic County Council and independent our vision and objectives set out in the county planning of the A34. consultants. The work concludes Chapter 3. % to make it easier to travel around that the impact of the proposed the county and improve access % Core Policy 35: Promoting growth is acceptable, subject to the 4 6.56 The Local Plan 2031 has been to jobs and services for all by Public Transport, Cycling and implementation of comprehensive informed by national policy as well offering real choice Walking – which seeks to support highway infrastructure and public as the principles within Oxfordshire % to reduce the impact of transport the provision of sustainable transport improvements, which are County Council’s adopted and on the environment and help transport measures to promote outlined in this plan. emerging Local Transport Plans (LTP)87. tackle climate change, and the use of public transport, cycling 5 % to promote healthy, safe and and walking. 6.61 The assessment does 6.57 The main requirements of sustainable travel. acknowledge that the proposed housing national policy relating to transport % Core Policy 36: Electronic growth set out in the plan will place are to reduce the need to travel, 6.59 We have set out a number of site- Communications – which increased pressure on the road network 6 promote more sustainable modes of specific proposals and policies relating promotes electronic at certain locations within the district. travel and improve accessibility. The to transport in our Sub-Area Strategies communications to help reduce However, where congestion is expected location of all forms of development included within Chapter 5. This section the need to travel. to worsen, the level is forecast to be is therefore very important and these includes policies that apply across the within acceptable tolerances in relation to 7 principles have helped to inform our whole district – these are: the NPPF test90. For this reason, a number Spatial Strategy set out in Chapter 4. of measures are proposed to help

87 https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/public-site/connecting-oxfordshire 88 http://m.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/sites/default/files/folders/documents/roadsandtransport/transportpoliciesandplans/localtransport plan/ltp3/May2011CompleteApprovedLTP3.pdf Work has started to prepare the LTP4. For more information please visit: https://www.oxfordshire.gov. uk/cms/public-site/connecting-oxfordshire 89 www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/evidence 90 CLG (2012) National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), paragraph 14

Local Plan 2031: Part One 123 District Wide Policies Core Policy 33: 6 Promoting Sustainable Transport and Accessibility minimise the identified impacts. Where 6.63 However, the plan also The Council will work with Oxfordshire County Council and others to: infrastructure is funded by development, proposes improvements to the we will seek the timely provision of highway network across the other i. actively seek to ensure that the impacts of new development infrastructure to ensure any short term parts of the district to ensure on the strategic and local road network are minimised impacts are within acceptable limits before development in our other Sub-Areas ii. ensure that developments are designed in a way to promote they improve. The proposals include: is sustainable and to minimise any sustainable transport access both within new sites, and linking impacts on the highway network. with surrounding facilities and employment % the delivery of a comprehensive These are set out in the Abingdon- iii. support measures identified in the Local Transport Plan for the package of new highway on-Thames and Oxford Fringe Sub- district, including within the relevant local area strategies infrastructure Area and Western Vale Sub-Area iv. support improvements for accessing Oxford % significant improvements to Strategies. v. ensure that transport improvements are designed to minimise public transport and measures any effects on the amenities, character and special qualities of to encourage sustainable travel 6.64 The Infrastructure Delivery the surrounding area, and choices, and Plan (IDP) published alongside vi. promote and support improvements to the transport network % requiring Transport Assessments this strategy sets out the strategic that increase safety, improve air quality and/or make our towns and Travel Plans to accompany transport measures that are planned and villages more attractive. planning applications for any major or required to accommodate development91 to ensure any local proposed development in the plan92. success in securing significant income towards critical new highway impacts are successfully mitigated. The IDP is a live document that will external funding towards strategic infrastructure. be updated as further requirements highway infrastructure (£26.1 6.62 Our main proposals for emerge and where additional million as at Sept 2014). The funds 6.66 Core Policy 33 sets out the improving the transport network are resources are secured through the include monies contributed from Council’s commitment to continue located within the Science Vale area Local Plan 2031 and Local Transport the Oxfordshire and Oxford City working with Oxfordshire County because this is where around 75 % Plan processes. Deal and Local Growth Fund, in Council to promote sustainable of our strategic housing growth is addition to a commitment from transport and accessibility, for located. This is explained in more 6.65 Vale of White Horse District the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise example, by supporting measures detail in the South East Vale Sub-Area Council, working with Oxfordshire Partnership to contribute £40 million identified in the up-to-date Local Strategy (see also Figure 5.6a). County Council, has had some Enterprise Zone Business Rate Transport Plan.

91 Refer to Oxfordshire County Council Guidance for New Developments: Transport Assessments and Travel Plans (March 2014). https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/public-site/transport-new-developments 92 www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/evidence

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1 A34 Strategy and that instances of network ensure we continue to have an up- congestion outside of peak hours to-date understanding of potential Core Policy 34: 6.67 The A34 has a dual role as a would increase and that they impacts on the Oxford Meadows nationally important strategic route may occur at any time of the day, Special Area of Conservation (SAC). A34 Strategy 2 as well as being a vital part of the including weekends. The Statement This is important to inform joint local road network in Oxfordshire, suggested that congestion may working to ensure this SAC continues The Council will continue to linking Didcot and Abingdon-on- occur through most weekdays and at to be safeguarded. work with Highways England, Thames with Oxford and Bicester. weekend peak periods. Oxfordshire County Council 3 6.72 The Council will continue and other partners to develop 6.68 Highways England is currently 6.70 To ensure the A34 successfully to support the development and and implement a Route Based preparing a Route Based Strategy for functions as a major strategic route implementation of the A34 Route Strategy for the A34, which the A34 as part of the wider proposals without impacting local routes, Based Strategy in accordance with enables it to function as a for movement between the Midlands a number of traffic management Core Policy 34. major strategic route, thereby 4 and the Solent. As part of this, a options are under consideration reducing consequential Baseline Statement was prepared by and may form part of the Route congestion on the local road Oxfordshire County Council to assess Based Strategy. These include network. the capacity and capability of the A34 ramp metering, speed control, 5 in terms of its physical characteristics, rationalisation of laybys and lorry The Council will continue to traffic flow patterns, network services, measures to promote bus work with Highways England, performance and conditions.93 lanes for shorter journeys, widening Oxfordshire County Council of the current route and constructing and other partners to develop 6 6.69 The Baseline Statement alternative alignments for some of the an air quality monitoring examined a number of possible route. The Solent to Midlands Route framework associated with improvements to the A34 and its Based Strategy, which includes the the A34 within the Vale of immediate feeder routes. It also A34, was finalised in April 2015. White Horse District to monitor 7 identified that it was likely that by any impact on the Oxford 2030, congestion along the route 6.71 Core Policy 34 includes a Meadows SAC. would take place more frequently, commitment to monitor air quality to

Local Plan 2031: Part One 125 6 District Wide Policies Core Policy 35: Promoting Public Transport, Cycling and Walking also support improvements to travel Public transport, cycling and The Council will work with Oxfordshire County Council and others to: walking choices in rural areas. i. encourage the use of sustainable modes of transport and 6.73 New development should be 6.76 Transport Assessments are support measures that enable a modal shift to public transport, designed to positively promote the required to support any planning cycling and walking in the district use of public transport, walking, application for major development94. ii. ensure new development is located close to, or along, existing cycling and efficient car use and the These will help us to determine strategic public transport corridors, where bus services can then location of development is therefore the precise nature of local impacts be strengthened in response to increases in demand for travel essential to encourage their use. associated with individual proposals iii. ensure that new development is designed to encourage However, this approach should also and identify appropriate mitigation walking as the preferred means of transport, not only within the be complemented with the provision measures to compensate for such development, but also to nearby facilities and transport hubs of new services and facilities. impacts. Where off-site mitigation iv. ensure that new development encourages and enables cycling is identified, the developments that not only through the internal design of the site, but also through 6.74 For this reason, a package of result in the need for the mitigation the provision of cycle friendly infrastructure to link the new improvements is proposed to upgrade will be required to make financial residents with nearby services, employment areas, educational existing public transport services, contributions through the appropriate facilities and public transport hubs where interchange can be particularly between key routes, and mechanism. These include, for provided for longer distance travel to introduce new services to ensure example, Section 106 and Section v. seek to support the provision of new cycling routes where the the proposed housing growth is 278 agreements. The Community proposals are consistent with the other policies of this plan connected by public transport. Figure Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Regulation vi. ensure proposals for major development* are supported by 5.6c shows the proposed new bus 123 list will contain some highway a Transport Assessment and Travel Plan, in accordance with routes within the district. infrastructure projects to be funded Oxfordshire County Council guidance**, and by use of the levy. vii. ensure adequate parking is delivered on new developments 6.75 However, the rural nature in accordance with Oxfordshire County Council’s published of the district does mean that 6.77 Travel Plans will also be standards***. some residents will continue to be required for major development, to dependent on car travel, for some or encourage the use of sustainable * as defined by Development Management Procedure Order 2010 all of their journeys, and so we will forms of travel95. These plans should ** Transport for new developments (Oxfordshire County Council) *** Parking standards for new developments (Oxfordshire County Council)

94 As defined by Development Management Procedure Order 2010 95 Refer to Oxfordshire County Council Guidance for New Developments: Transport Assessments and Travel Plan (March 2014). https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/public-site/transport-new-developments

126 Vale of White Horse District Council 6 District Wide Policies

1 set out a package of measures and Electronic communications initiatives with the aim of reducing Core Policy 36: the number of car journeys made by 6.80 The Internet provides an people travelling to and from the site opportunity to reduce the need Electronic communications 2 by providing greater choice. to travel. It means that location is increasingly less important for The Council will work with Oxfordshire County Council and others to 6.78 Cycling and walking can provide businesses and enables greater promote faster, more reliable and more comprehensive coverage of a healthier alternative to private modes possibilities for home-working. The electronic communications and allow businesses and residents to 3 of transport, especially for short Local Plan 2031 therefore recognises access services and information more effectively, thereby helping to trips. They may also form part of a the role of the Internet and seeks to reduce the need to travel. more sustainable way of travel when promote it as a means of reducing combined with public transport. the need to travel and supporting the Proposals for all new development should ensure appropriate economy. infrastructure is provided during development, sufficient to enable all 4 6.79 Therefore, we will seek to properties to be connected to superfast broadband without any post- promote cycling and walking by 6.81 Core Policy 36 seeks to ensure development works. improving the existing network, in the provision of superfast broadband partnership with Oxfordshire County connectivity to all new developments, 5 Council and other stakeholders. This and supports network enhancements will include the provision of new routes including supporting infrastructure, both generally and in association to provide superfast broadband to with new development and making all existing homes and businesses 6 available information on the routes in the district. It is essential that the and other measures to promote these strategic site allocations set out in this forms of travel in accordance with plan provide appropriate infrastructure Core Policy 35. An example includes to ensure all properties can be 7 improving provision for cycling along connected to superfast broadband96 the A417 corridor, particularly between without any further works post- Wantage and Grove, and Harwell development. Campus and Didcot.

96 Better Broadband for Oxfordshire, available at: http://www.betterbroadbandoxfordshire.org.uk/cms/

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Protecting the sets out policies that apply across the % Core Policy 41: Renewable % Core Policy 46: Conservation environment and district, these are: Energy – which sets out the and Improvement of Biodiversity responding to climate Council’s approach to supporting – which seeks to protect and change % Core Policy 37: Design and Local proposals for renewable energy. enhance biodiversity across the Distinctiveness - which seeks to district. 6.82 Protecting the environment and ensure that all development achieves % Core Policy 42: Flood Risk – responding to climate change are high quality design standards. which defines how flood risk important themes that form a key part should be addressed to support of our vision and objectives as set % Core Policy 38: Design new development proposals. out in Chapter 3 and have informed Strategies for Strategic and our Spatial Strategy as set out in Major Development Sites – % Core Policy 43: Natural Chapter 4. Our approach ensures which sets out the requirement Resources – which sets out the that protecting the environment for Masterplans and Design and Council’s approach to minimising and responding to climate change Access Statements to accompany environmental impacts associated have also influenced the location of strategic and major development with development proposals. strategic growth (Core Policy 4). proposals. % Core Policy 44: Landscape 6.83 This section of the plan % Core Policy 39: The Historic – which sets out the Council’s includes strategic policies that help Environment – which sets out the approach to protecting the to maintain and achieve a high quality Council’s approach to conserving important landscape setting of the environment across the district. The historic assets across the district. Vale. policies set out how we will seek to respond to climate change and % Core Policy 40: Sustainable % Core Policy 45: Green protect the Vale’s historic, built, and Design and Construction – Infrastructure – which seeks to natural environment. which sets out the requirement for ensure the appropriate provision of new development to incorporate Green Infrastructure through new 6.84 Any site or area-specific climate change adaptation development. policies are set out in our Sub-Area measures to ensure resilience to Strategies (Chapter 5). This section climate change.

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1 Design is provided to the high quality prepared in accordance with the Site provided should be proportionate to standards that are appropriate for Development Templates (Appendix the scale, complexity and location 6.85 The Government attaches the Vale. Core Policy 37 and the A). This approach should also of the application99. Applicants great importance to the design SPD will apply to all development in optimise the potential of the site to: are recommended to contact the 2 of the built environment97. Good the district, although not all of the Local Planning Authority at an early design is a key aspect of sustainable requirements will apply in every case. % create and sustain an appropriate stage to determine the extent of development, is indivisible from good mix of uses (including open and information required. planning, and should contribute 6.87 The Local Plan 2031 Part other public spaces as part of 3 positively to making better places 1 makes provision for significant developments) to live and work. New development strategic growth, including a number % support existing services and should create a sense of place and of major urban extensions to our amenities and facilitate delivery of distinct character where people will existing towns and villages. It is housing, and feel safe and be proud to live and important the new developments % tie the design process into the 4 work. Design quality and the historic are places where people will want planning process by setting environment are linked because the to live in, and that new buildings an overarching framework to historic environment often includes also make a positive contribution to achieve a cohesive development characteristics we associate with established settlements and the local that integrates with the existing 5 high standards of design quality. environment. settlement.

6.86 The Council has prepared 6.88 The demonstration of good 6.89 The masterplans should be a comprehensive Design Guide urban design principles through a produced in consultation between 6 to support the design policies set masterplan approach for strategic Vale of White Horse District out in the Local Plan 2031 (Core and major applications98 is required Council, the community and other Policies 37 and 38). The Design by Core Policy 38. The masterplan stakeholders where appropriate Guide has been adopted as a should set out the strategy for new (for example, Oxfordshire County 7 Supplementary Planning Document development to help clarify site Council and South Oxfordshire (SPD) that ensures new development expectations, improve collaboration District Council) and may be subject between stakeholders and should be to design review. The information

97 NPPF, paragraph 56 98 As defined by the Development Management Procedure Order 2010 99 Additional design policies may be set out within Local Plan Part 2 for sites within this area

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Core Policy 37: Design and Local Distinctiveness

All proposals for new development will be required to be of high quality vii. addresses the needs of all in society by incorporating mixed uses design that: and facilities as appropriate with good access to public transport and a wide range of house types and tenures i. responds positively to the site and its surroundings, cultural viii. is visually attractive and the scale, height, density, grain, massing, diversity and history, conserves and enhances historic character type, details and materials are appropriate for the site and and reinforces local identity or establishes a distinct identity whilst surrounding area not preventing innovative responses to context ix. creates safe communities and reduces the likelihood and fear of ii. creates a distinctive sense of place through high quality townscape crime and landscaping that physically and visually integrates with its x. secures a high quality public realm with well managed and surroundings maintained public areas that are overlooked to promote greater iii. provides a clear and permeable structure of streets, routes and community safety, with clearly defined private spaces spaces that are legible and easy to navigate through because of the xi. ensures a sufficient level of well-integrated car and bicycle parking use of street typology, views, landmarks, public art and focal points and external storage, and iv. is well connected to provide safe and convenient ease of movement xii. is sustainable and resilient to climate change by taking into account by all users, ensuring that the needs of vehicular traffic does not landform, layout, building orientation, massing and landscaping to dominate at the expense of other modes of transport, including minimise energy consumption and mitigate water run-off and flood pedestrians and cyclists, or undermine the resulting quality of risks. places v. incorporates and/or links to high quality Green Infrastructure and landscaping to enhance biodiversity and meet recreational needs, including Public Rights of Way vi. is built to last, functions well and is flexible to changing requirements of occupants and other circumstances

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1 Core Policy 38: Design Strategies for Strategic and Major Development Sites

2 Proposals for housing allocations and major development* sites must be townscape such as main frontages, edges, landmark buildings and key accompanied by a site-wide design strategy that includes the following: building groups and character areas.

1. a Masterplan which should: 2. an accompanying Design and Access Statement, which should explain: 3 i. identify the Vision for the development, setting out a clear description of the i. the steps taken to appraise the context of the proposed development, and type of place that could be created whilst building on the overall aims for the how the design of the development takes that context into account to create district or reinforce local distinctiveness to achieve a positive sense of place and ii. demonstrate a coherent and robust framework for development that clearly identity 4 sets out: land uses proposed including amount, scale and density, movement ii. the design principles and concepts that have been applied to the proposed and access arrangements and Green Infrastructure provision development and how these principles will be used to inform subsequent iii. show how the design requirements of the scheme work within the Vision and phases or development parcels within the overall site demonstrate how the Vision will be achieved iii. the mechanism for delivering the Vision at more detailed stages, for example iv. integrate with the surrounding built, historic and natural environments, in through design coding 5 particular maximising existing and potential movement connections and iv. how sustainability and environmental matters will be addressed including accessibility to encourage walking, cycling and use of public transport the efficient use of resources both during construction and when the v. provide community facilities and other amenities to meet the needs of all the development is complete community, including access to education and training facilities, health care, v. the delivery phasing and implementation strategies to be in place to ensure 6 community leisure and recreation facilities as appropriate the timely delivery of infrastructure and services to the development when vi. define a hierarchy of routes and the integration of suitable infrastructure, they are needed by new residents, and that new developments are built out in including, for example, SUDS within the public realm a logical manner vii. contain a Green Infrastructure framework to ensure that public and private vi. how the mix of housing types and tenures is integrated and supports a range 7 open space standards are met, relate well to each other and to existing areas of household sizes, ages and incomes to meet identified housing need, and and that the new spaces are safe, convenient, accessible and functional, and vii. how consultation with the existing community has been incorporated. viii. contain an indicative layout which illustrates a legible urban structure based on strategic urban design principles and identifies key elements of * As defined by Development Management Procedure Order 2010

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The Historic Environment 6.91 The numerous features of structures or, if necessary, enabling 6.94 The Council will improve architectural or historic interest development to ensure that buildings its understanding of the historic 6.90 One of the greatest assets of mean that heritage is a key reason and structures are conserved for environment in the district by the Vale is its rich and varied built that draws people to want to live the future. In particular, this will continuing to produce Conservation heritage, which contributes greatly to in the district’s towns and villages apply for buildings and structures Area Character Appraisals and the distinctive character and cherished and so it is important their character on the Heritage at Risk Register100, Management Plans. The Council will identity of its towns, villages and and heritage assets are retained, maintained by Historic England. also identify non-designated heritage countryside. The district displays a particularly in areas that face However, the heritage asset most assets through the preparation subtle range of building types and pressure from development. New at risk of being lost has often been of Conservation Area Character materials reflecting the underlying development can often be informed archaeology, through neglect, decay, Appraisals and Management Plans. geology of the area. The historic by principles of good urban design or inappropriate development. All of these will be produced with landscape also plays an important role through studying historic towns and the help of the local community, who in shaping the varied character of the villages and it is important these 6.93 Proposals for new uses of often have a deep knowledge of, and district as a heritage asset in itself. heritage assets are not lost. historic assets should avoid the need passion for, their local heritage. The This will be further explored through to remove architectural or historic Council will support communities who Oxfordshire County Council’s Historic 6.92 The most effective protection features, respect the integrity of the would like to gather evidence about Landscape Characterisation (funded for historic buildings is to maintain built form and quality of spaces within their Conservation Area to help them by English Heritage), which is due to them in active use. In many cases the buildings and avoid or minimise produce Character Appraisals and be completed in 2015. Some of this the most appropriate use for a the introduction of new structural Management Plans. work has already been undertaken for historic building is that for which it features. Any enabling development the Vale district to inform the selection was originally constructed and this will be assessed in accordance with 6.95 The Historic Environment of the strategic sites. The importance should, where possible, be retained. Historic England guidance101, which Record (HER), which is currently of the heritage across the district However, in many cases this use will recognises that such proposals maintained by Oxfordshire County is recognised by the designation of no longer be practical or viable and should secure the future conservation Council, shows where there are 52 Conservation Areas, over 2000 a new use will have to be found. In of a heritage asset and that the known archaeological sites and Listed Buildings, 8 Registered Parks such circumstances, the Council benefits of such schemes should monuments within the county. and Gardens and 68 Scheduled will consider appropriate alternative outweigh the dis-benefits of departing The HER will be used to guide Monuments. uses for historic buildings and from the national and local policies. the application of national policy

100 English Heritage, Heritage at Risk Register, available at: http://risk.english-heritage.org.uk/register.aspx 101 http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/publications/enabling-development-and-the-conservation-of-significant-places/

132 Vale of White Horse District Council 6 District Wide Policies

1 in relation to heritage assets of 6.98 New development in archaeological interest. Conservation Areas should make Core Policy 39: a positive contribution to, or better 6.96 Applications relating to reveal, the significance of the setting The Historic Environment 2 heritage assets should describe the within the Conservation Area, using significance of the asset, including an up-to-date Conservation Area The Council will work with landowners, developers, the community, any contribution made by their Character Appraisal, where one is Historic England and other stakeholders to: setting, with a proportionate level of available. detail relating to the likely impact the i. ensure that new development conserves, and where possible 3 proposal could have on the asset’s enhances, designated heritage assets and non-designated cultural, historic, architectural and heritage assets and their setting in accordance with national archaeological interest. guidance and legislation1 ii. ensure that vacant historic buildings are appropriately re-used 4 6.97 Development proposals that as soon as possible to prevent deterioration of condition would harm the significance of iii. seek to reduce the number of buildings on the “Heritage at designated assets, such as Listed Risk” Register Buildings, Conservation Areas, iv. encourage better understanding of the significance of 5 Registered Parks and Gardens and scheduled monuments on the “Heritage at Risk” Register and Scheduled Monuments, and their to aid in their protection settings will be strongly resisted in v. better understand the significance of Conservation Areas in accordance with national guidance the district through producing Conservation Area Character 6 and Core Policy 39. Non-designated Appraisals and Management Plans heritage assets, such as important vi. identify criteria for assessing non designated heritage assets archaeology, will be conserved, and maintaining a list of such assets as Locally Listed taking into account the scale of any Buildings, and 7 harm or loss and the significance of vii. encourage Heritage Partnership Agreements, particularly for the asset. Listed Buildings on any ‘at risk’ register. 1 Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990

Local Plan 2031: Part One 133 District Wide Policies Core Policy 40: 6 Sustainable Design and Construction

Responding to climate change 6.100 As well as seeking to reduce The Council encourages developers to incorporate climate change emissions of greenhouse gases, the adaptation and design measures to combat the effects of changing 6.99 Responding to climate change Council also recognises that climate weather patterns in all new development, which could include: is one of our Strategic Objectives and change is already happening and so it has informed our Spatial Strategy, is important that new development is i. planting, shading and advanced glazing systems to reduce solar heat the location of our strategic site designed to be resilient to its effects. gain during the summer allocations and many of the Local It is anticipated that the UK will ii. using materials to prevent penetration of heat, including use of cool Plan policies. Through the planning experience warmer, wetter winters, building materials, green roofs and walls and using flood resilient process the Council is seeking to hotter, drier summers and see an materials achieve a low carbon Vale by: increased incidence of extreme iii. increasing natural ventilation and removing heat by using fresh air weather102. iv. orientating windows of habitable rooms within 30 degrees of south and utilising southern slopes % locating housing development close to jobs and services to 6.101 The Housing Standards Review103 v. locating windows at heights that maximise heating from lower sub minimise the need to travel has indicated that the Government angles during the winter, and incorporating flood resilient measures such as raising floor levels, % providing good access by public will put less emphasis on the Code for vi. transport, cycling and walking to Sustainable Homes and will instead set electrical fittings and rain-proofing and overhangs to prevent reduce the need to travel by car equivalent standards through Building infiltration of heavy rain around doors and windows. % improving the energy efficiency of Regulations. Therefore, the Council new and existing buildings does not set policy standards for the A sensitive approach will need to be taken to safeguard the special character of the heritage assets e.g. in a Conservation Area or where % promoting the development and Code for Sustainable Homes. However, use of decentralised renewable Government policy does still allow historic assets would be affected. and low carbon energy, and Councils to choose to apply a local The Vale of White Horse is located within an area of water stress and is % promoting superfast broadband standard for water efficiency in advance coverage to reduce the need to of national standards. As the Vale is in applying a higher standard for water efficiency*. travel (Core Policy 36). an area of water stress104, the Council is applying a higher standard for water New developments are required to be designed to a water efficiency efficiency, as recommended within the standard of 110 litres/head/day (l/h/d) for new homes. Water Cycle Study. * Vale of White Horse District Council Water Cycle Study: updated Phase 1 Study September 2015 102 http://ukclimateprojections.defra.gov.uk/ 103 https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/housing-standards-review-consultation. 104 Thames Water (2014): Water Resources Management Plan 2015-2040 (July 2014)

134 Vale of White Horse District Council 6 District Wide Policies

1 Renewable energy by 2020105. To enable the Vale to contribute towards the government’s 6.102 The Government has set a target, the Council will support target of 15 % of the UK’s energy schemes for renewable energy where 2 to come from renewable sources they are suitable in all other respects.

Core Policy 41: 3 Renewable Energy (excluding wind energy) The Council encourages schemes for renewable and low carbon energy generation. Planning applications for renewable and low carbon 4 energy generation (excluding wind energy) will be supported, provided that they do not cause a significantly adverse effect to:

i. landscape, both designated AONB and locally valued 5 ii. biodiversity, including protected habitats and species and Conservation Target Areas iii. the historic environment, both designated and non-designated

assets, including by development within their settings 6 iv. the visual amenity and openness of the Green Belt v. local residential amenity, and vi. the safe movement of traffic and pedestrians.

105 Directive 2009/28/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2009 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources, available at: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32009L0028&from=EN

Local Plan 2031: Part One 135 6 District Wide Policies

Flood Risk Core Policy 42: 6.103 Core Policy 42 seeks to ensure that development provides Flood Risk appropriate measures for the management of surface water as an The risk and impact of flooding will be minimised of use to a more vulnerable class that may be subject essential element of reducing future through: to other forms of flooding. Appropriate mitigation flood risk to both the site and its and management measures will be required to be surroundings. Sustainable drainage i. directing new development to areas with the implemented. methods, such as green roofs, lowest probability of flooding ponds and permeable surfaces, will ii. ensuring that all new development addresses All development proposals must be assessed against be encouraged, where technically the effective management of all sources of the Vale of White Horse and South Oxfordshire possible. The drainage elements of flood risk Strategic Flood Risk Assessment and the Oxfordshire new development must be designed to iii. ensuring that development does not increase Local Flood Risk Management Strategy to address the principles set out in the Flood and the risk of flooding elsewhere, and locally significant flooding. Appropriate mitigation and Water Management Act 2010106 and iv. ensuring wider environmental benefits of management measures must be implemented. associated relevant design standards. development in relation to flood risk. Further information on sustainable All development will be required to provide a drainage drainage systems can be found in The suitability of development proposed in flood zones strategy. Developments will be expected to incorporate the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment will be strictly assessed using the Sequential Test, and, sustainable drainage systems and ensure that run- (SFRA)107 and from Oxfordshire County where necessary, the Exceptions Test. A sequential off rates are attenuated to greenfield run-off rates. Council, who are the lead flood approach should be used at site level. Higher rates would need to be justified and the risks authority for Oxfordshire. Sustainable quantified. Developers should strive to reduce run-off drainage systems should seek to A site-specific flood risk assessment will be required rates for existing developed sites. enhance water quality and biodiversity for all developments of 1 hectare and greater in Flood in line with The Water Framework Zone 1 and, for all proposals for new development, Sustainable drainage systems should seek to enhance Directive (WFD)108. including minor development and change of use in water quality and biodiversity in line with the Water Flood Zone 2 and 3 and, in Critical Drainage Areas, Framework Directive (WFD).

106 http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/29/contents and also where proposed development or a change 107 http://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/evidence 108 http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2003/3242/contents/made

136 Vale of White Horse District Council 6 District Wide Policies

1 Efficient Use of Natural Council will continue to monitor Thames River Basin Management Minerals and Waste Local Plan prior Resources levels of nitrogen dioxide in this Plan110 sets out actions to help meet to making a planning application. area this obligation. Policies on Green 6.104 National planning policy % central Abingdon-on-Thames Infrastructure, biodiversity and 2 underlines the importance of prudent was designated as an AQMA sustainable construction will also use of natural resources, from using for nitrogen dioxide in 2006 and assist in achieving this objective by land effectively to encouraging the an Action Plan was approved ensuring that surface water run-off is use of renewable resources. Core in 2009. Abingdon’s Integrated appropriately controlled. 3 Policy 43 incorporates all elements Transport Strategy (AbITS) was of natural resources, including land, subsequently put in place to alter 6.107 Oxfordshire County Council is water and air quality, to ensure they the flow of traffic within the town responsible for determining planning are protected from decline. centre. Pollution levels in the town applications for minerals and waste will continue to be monitored, and development and producing the 4 6.105 National policy states that % an AQMA was designated in Minerals and Waste Local Plan111, policies should take account of the Marcham in 2005 due to a highly which will safeguard mineral presence of Air Quality Management constrained road layout and resources, aggregate rail depots, Areas and the cumulative impacts resultant traffic congestion and sites for recycled and secondary 5 on air quality from individual sites nitrogen dioxide pollution. The aggregate supply, other minerals in local areas. There are three Council will continue to monitor infrastructure sites and sites for Air Quality Management Areas pollution levels and work with waste management. These areas will designated in the Vale. These are: stakeholders to identify a long- be marked on this Plan’s Adopted 6 term solution. Policies Map for reference in future, % those parts of Botley closest to following adoption by the County the A34 have been declared an Air 6.106 The Water Framework Council. Should the district receive Quality Management Area (AQMA) Directive109 requires that there is no a planning application in any of 7 due to the pollution generated by deterioration in the status of water these areas, the County Council will the heavy volume of traffic. The bodies and that they all achieve be consulted on the development. good ecological status by 2027. The Applicants are advised to review the

109 http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2003/3242/contents/made 110 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/thames-river-basin-management-plan 111 http://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/content/minerals-and-waste-core-strategy

Local Plan 2031: Part One 137 6 District Wide Policies

Landscape more detailed landscapes that add Core Policy 43: to and enhance the local landscape 6.108 The Vale of White Horse character of the district. Natural Resources occupies an attractive part of the Upper Thames Valley. From south 6.111 The conservation of the The Council encourages developers to make provision for the effective to north the landscape features intrinsic character and beauty of use of natural resources where applicable, including: range from the rolling sweep of the the countryside is a core planning chalk downs (designated as part of principle of the NPPF, stating that the i. minimising waste and making adequate provision for the the North Wessex Downs Area of planning system should contribute recycling of waste on site Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)), to and enhance the natural and ii. using recycled and energy efficient materials across the wide vistas of the lowland local environment by protecting and iii. maximising passive solar heating, lighting, natural ventilation, clay vale, then rising to the limestone enhancing valued landscapes. energy and water efficiency and re-use of materials Corallian ridge, before dropping to iv. making efficient use of water, for example through rainwater the floodplain of the River Thames. 6.112 Landscape encompasses all harvesting and grey water outdoor space. There are pressures v. causing no deterioration in, and where possible, achieving 6.109 The distinctive landscapes on these landscapes as a result of improvements in water quality within the district have been classified changes in agricultural practice and vi. takes account of, and if located within an AQMA, is consistent by Natural England as falling within the impact of new development with, the Council’s Air Quality Action Plan three distinct National Character for housing and employment. vii. ensuring that the land is of a suitable quality for development Areas: The distinctive landscape of the and that remediation of contaminated land is undertaken where Vale needs to be enhanced and necessary % NCA 108 Upper Thames Clay protected for the future. There will viii. avoiding the development of the best and most versatile Vales be opportunities to enhance the agricultural land, unless it is demonstrated to be the most % NCA 109 Midvale Ridge landscape particularly in growth areas sustainable choice from reasonable alternatives, by first using % NCA 116 Berkshire and around Science Vale and elsewhere areas of poorer quality land in preference to that of a higher Marlborough Downs in the district and the Green quality, and Infrastructure Strategy will identify ix. re-using previously developed land, provided it is not of high 6.110 Within these national areas further opportunities for landscape environmental value. there are a number of smaller and enhancement within the district.

138 Vale of White Horse District Council 6 District Wide Policies

1 6.113 Core Policy 44 will be applied 112 using the most up-to-date legislation Core Policy 44: and landscape studies available from Natural England, the District and Landscape 2 County Council, and from the North Wessex Downs AONB Board. These The key features that contribute to the nature and quality of the Vale of White Horse District’s landscape will be include: National Character Areas; Vale protected from harmful development and where possible enhanced, in particular: of White Horse Landscape Strategy 3 2006; the Oxfordshire Wildlife and i. features such as trees, hedgerows, woodland, field boundaries, watercourses and water bodies Landscape Study; Oxfordshire Historic ii. important landscape settings of settlements Landscape Characterisation; Oxford iii. topographical features View Cones Study 2015 produced by iv. areas or features of cultural and historic value Oxford City Council in association with v. important views and visually sensitive skylines, and 4 Oxford Preservation Trust and Historic vi. tranquillity and the need to protect against intrusion from light pollution, noise, and motion. England; and documents produced by the North Wessex Downs AONB Where development is acceptable in principle, measures will be sought to integrate it into the landscape Board such as the AONB Landscape character and/or the townscape of the area. Proposals will need to demonstrate how they have responded to 5 Character Assessment. Reference the above aspects of landscape character and will be expected to: should also be made to the Council’s Design Guide SPD. vii. incorporate appropriate landscape proposals that reflect the character of the area through appropriate design and management; 6 6.114 Other studies may be forthcoming viii. preserve and promote local distinctiveness and diversity and, where practical, enhance damaged to support more detailed landscape landscape areas. policies in the Local Plan 2031 Part 2. The Council will also examine the High priority will be given to conservation and enhancement of the natural beauty of the North Wessex Downs 7 necessity for an update to the district AONB and planning decisions will have regard to its setting. Proposals that support the economy and social wide Landscape Character Assessment wellbeing of communities located in the AONB, including affordable housing schemes, will be encouraged, to support the Local Plan 2031 Part 2. provided they do not conflict with the aims of conservation and enhancement.

112 AONB Management Plan and CROW Act 2000

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Green Infrastructure % one accessible 100 hectare site within five kilometres of home, and 6.115 Green Infrastructure relates to % one accessible 500 hectare site the active planning and management within ten kilometres of home. of substantial networks of multi- functional open space. Such networks 6.117 The Council has need to be planned and managed commissioned a joint Green to deliver the widest range of linked Infrastructure Strategy with South environmental and social benefits, Oxfordshire District Council. This including conserving and enhancing strategy will set out the main priorities, biodiversity as well as landscape, policies and standards for the delivery recreation, water management, and of new Green Infrastructure to meet social and cultural benefits to underpin the identified needs. The Strategy community health and well being. will need to take account of plans already in place to maintain and 6.116 The Council has produced deliver new Green Infrastructure a Green Infrastructure Audit provision, such as the North Wessex that identifies the main Green Downs AONB Management Plan, and Infrastructure assets within the Vale will also consider whether there are Figure 6.1: Vale of White Horse Green Infrastructure network and assesses the provision of Green opportunities to enhance access to Infrastructure against an adapted Green Infrastructure and recreation in (HRA) to define what new Green areas of deficit as outlined in the version of nationally accepted the Oxford Green Belt. Infrastructure will be required and Green Infrastructure Audit. Where standards. The Green Infrastructure how it should be delivered. Where new Green Infrastructure is identified Audit recommends that everyone, 6.118 When assessing planning there are justifiable reasons why as a mitigation requirement within wherever they live, should have an applications, the Council will take Green Infrastructure cannot be the Habitats Regulations Assessment accessible natural green space: into account the findings of the delivered on site, the Council will this will have to be delivered by the Green Infrastructure Audit, Green seek a financial contribution, which developer to meet the requirements of the HRA. % at least one accessible 20 hectare Infrastructure Strategy and the will focus on improvements in 113 site within two kilometres of home Habitat Regulations Assessment Conservation Target Areas and

113 Conservation Target Areas are ecological networks that promote the preservation, restoration and re-creation of priority habitats and the protection and recovery of populations of priority species. They represent the main components of the ecological networks across Oxfordshire.

140 Vale of White Horse District Council 6 District Wide Policies

1 Biodiversity 6.120 In addition to these sites, Core Policy 45: there are numerous important 6.119 The district contains a rich natural habitats, including Green Infrastructure variety of semi-natural habitats ancient woodlands and habitats 2 including woodlands, hedgerows, of principal importance for the A net gain in Green Infrastructure, including biodiversity, will be rivers, streams, and meadows. purpose of conserving biodiversity sought either through on-site provision or off-site contributions Together they help secure the (under Section 41 of the Natural and the targeted use of other funding sources. A net loss of Green survival of many species. There Environment and Rural Communities 3 Infrastructure, including biodiversity, through development proposals, are a number of important nature Act)115. Waterways and river corridors will be resisted. conservation sites, which are are also an important feature in protected at international, national the district, making a significant Proposals for new development must provide adequate Green and local level. These include: contribution to the character, Infrastructure in line with the Green Infrastructure Strategy. All major biodiversity and landscape quality. 4 applications must be accompanied by a statement demonstrating % International: There are also a wide variety of that they have taken into account the relationship of the proposed o Two Special Areas of legally protected and priority species development to existing Green Infrastructure and how this will be Conservation (SAC) resident throughout the Vale. retained and enhanced. Proposals will be required to contribute to % National: 5 the delivery of new Green Infrastructure and/or the improvement of o One National Nature Reserve 6.121 Distinctions will be existing assets including Conservation Target Areas in accordance with o 23 Sites of Special Scientific made between the hierarchy of the standards in the Green Infrastructure Strategy and the Habitats Interest (SSSI) international, national and locally Regulations Assessment. % Local: designated sites, so that protection is 6 o 84 Local Wildlife Sites* commensurate with their status and o Five Local Nature Reserves gives weight to their importance and o Nine Geologically Important Sites the contribution that they make to wider ecological networks. 7 * A current list of Local Wildlife Sites is available on the Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre website114. The list is updated periodically so 6.122 Opportunities to incorporate should be referred to for the most up to date list of biodiversity in and around conservation sites.

114 http://www.tverc.org/cms/ 115 Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006, available at: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/16/contents

Local Plan 2031: Part One 141 6 District Wide Policies

developments will be encouraged. Figure 6.2: Vale of White Horse Conservation Target Areas The Vale was the first Council in the UK to use biodiversity offsetting to provide compensation for the impacts of development. Biodiversity offsetting is a mechanism used to secure compensation for the impacts of development for the creation or restoration of important habitats elsewhere. Offsetting is used to ensure that development schemes do not result in a net loss in biodiversity, particularly where it is not possible to avoid or mitigate the impacts of a development proposal on-site. Biodiversity offsetting will be considered as a means of compensating for loss of biodiversity through Core Policy 46, but only where avoidance and on-site mitigation have been discounted as options.

142 Vale of White Horse District Council 6 District Wide Policies

1 Core Policy 46: Conservation and Improvement of Biodiversity

2 Development that will conserve, restore and outweighs the adverse effect on the relevant The level of protection and mitigation should enhance biodiversity in the district will be biodiversity interest; be proportionate to the status of the habitat or permitted. Opportunities for biodiversity gain, ii. it can be demonstrated that it could not species and its importance individually and as including the connection of sites, large-scale reasonably be located on an alternative site part of a wider network. 3 habitat restoration, enhancement and habitat that would result in less or no harm to the re-creation will be actively sought, with a primary biodiversity interests; and It is recognised that habitats/areas not focus on delivery in the Conservation Target iii. measures can be provided (and are secured considered above (i.e. Nationally or Locally Areas. A net loss of biodiversity will be avoided. through planning conditions or legal designated and not priority habitats) can still 4 agreements), that would avoid, mitigate have a significant biodiversity value within their The highest level of protection will be given to sites against or, as a last resort, compensate local context, particularly where they are situated and species of international nature conservation for, the adverse effects likely to result from within a Conservation Target Area and/or they importance (Special Areas of Conservation and development. have good potential to be restored to priority European Protected Species). Development that is habitat status or form/have good potential to 5 likely to result in a significant effect, either alone or in The habitats and species of importance to form links between priority habitats or act as combination, on such sites and species will need to biodiversity and sites of geological interest corridors for priority species. These habitats satisfy the requirements of the Habitat Regulations*. considered in relation to points i) to iii) comprise: will be given due weight in the consideration of 6 % Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) planning applications. If significant harm to these Development likely to result in the loss, % Local Wildlife Sites sites cannot be avoided (through locating on deterioration or harm to habitats or species of % Local Nature Reserves an alternative site with less harmful impacts) it importance to biodiversity or of importance for % Priority Habitats and species listed in the will be expected that mitigation will be provided geological conservation interests, either directly or national and local Biodiversity Action Plan to avoid a net loss in biodiversity or, as a last 7 indirectly, will not be permitted unless: % Ancient Woodland and veteran trees resort, compensation will be required to offset the % Legally Protected Species impacts and achieve a net gain in biodiversity. i. the need for, and benefits of, the % Locally Important Geological Sites development in the proposed location * Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992.

Local Plan 2031: Part One 143 6 District Wide Policies

Wilts and Berks Canal on the sections in Wiltshire and and natural environment, and their health and well-being. These Swindon, with only a few projects in identifying steps to mitigate these documents will be reviewed and 6.123 The Wilts and Berks canal the Vale. Further evidence is needed accordingly, and updated when appropriate. route extends from Melksham in to understand the work required to • ensuring that all landowners Wiltshire, through Swindon and on restore the canal in the Vale before affected by the proposals are 6.126 Existing leisure facilities towards Abingdon-on-Thames where the Council can safeguard the route. consulted as part of the process. will be protected in line with saved it meets with the River Thames. There Saved Local Plan 2011 Policies policies in the Local Plan 2011, until is a branch (the North Wiltshire Canal) L14 and L15 will continue to be Leisure such time as they are replaced by from Swindon to the Thames and saved and will apply to any planning Local Plan 2031 Part 2. Existing Severn Canal near Cricklade. The applications relating to the canal. The 6.125 In planning for development, leisure facilities include Public Rights canal was formally abandoned by Local Plan 2031 Part 2 will provide regard must be had to the Council’s of Way, as shown on the Oxfordshire Act of Parliament in 1914. Unlike the opportunity to update the policy Leisure and Sports Facilities County Council definitive map118, and many other canals in the country, relating to the Wilts and Berks Canal, Strategy116 and the Open Space, long-distance recreational paths such where the towpath and canal itself which should be informed by the Sport and Recreation Future Provision as The Ridgeway, the Thames Path remained in public ownership, the work that the Partnership and the SPD117. In doing so, development will and the d’Arcy Dalton Way. Act of Parliament returned the Wilts Trust undertake in the meantime. be expected to make appropriate and Berks Canal to the adjacent This work should include: provision for open space and landowners and Local Authorities. recreational facilities as outlined in Much of the route of the canal is in • an overall viability study of these documents in accordance with private ownership so the Wilts and the scheme to show that it is Core Policy 7 and in line with the Berks Canal Partnership will have to deliverable, including taking Council’s up-to-date Infrastructure work closely with landowners if plans into account all infrastructure Delivery Plan. This will ensure that for its restoration are to go ahead. implications for the existing road communities have access to high and rail network quality open spaces and opportunities 6.124 The restoration of the Wilts • investigating issues relating to for sport and recreation, which and Berks Canal is currently focused the existing ecology, historic makes an important contribution to

116 www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/evidence 117 Vale of White Horse District Council (2008) Supplementary Planning Document: Open Space, Sport and Recreation, adopted July 2008, available at: http://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/services-and-advice/planning-and-building/planning-policy/local-development-framework/ supplementary- 118 http://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/content/definitive-map-and-statement-online

144 Vale of White Horse District Council 1

Local Plan 2031: Part One 145 Overview 7 Implementing This chapter sets out a detailed monitoring framework to ensure the plan policies are delivered. It sets out: the Plan • what will be delivered by each policy • targets to monitor progress towards achieving our Strategic Objectives, and • what action we will take if the policies do not deliver in accordance with the targets.

The implementation of the plan will be reported against the targets through the Authority’s Monitoring Report.

146 Vale of White Horse District Council 7 Implementing the Plan Abingdon-on-Thames and Oxford Fringe

1 Introduction This includes (and is not limited to) 47, ‘Delivery and Contingency’, sets the Local Enterprise Partnership, out the Council’s intended approach. 7.1 Monitoring the Local Plan 2031 neighbouring authorities, developers, policies is important to ensure they infrastructure providers, local 2 are effectively being delivered, that communities and interest groups and Core Policy 47: 2 they continue to be relevant to the other organisations relating to the Delivery and Contingency local area, and meet the requirements ‘duty-to-cooperate’. of national planning policy. If the Local Plan 2031 policies are not delivered in accordance with 3 7.5 The Council will publish 3 the Monitoring Framework set out in Appendix H, the contingency information at least annually to 7.2 This chapter sets out how measures identified in the monitoring framework will apply. we will implement the strategy and show progress with Local Plan includes clear arrangements for the implementation in its Authority If the Authority’s Monitoring Report shows that implementation of the 4 delivery, monitoring and review of the Monitoring Report. plan, either in part or as a whole, is not taking place as envisaged, the 4 plan and its policies. Council, in conjunction with its partners, will investigate the reasons for 7.6 The Council has included a the situation and will implement appropriate action which may include Delivery and Contingency Monitoring Framework at Appendix one or more of the following: 5 H, which identifies how the Council 5 7.3 We will continue to work jointly will monitor the effectiveness and i. seeking alternative sources of funding if a lack of infrastructure with stakeholders to deliver Local implementation of the Local Plan for is delaying development or causing significant problems as a Plan 2031 objectives. This will include each policy. The Council recognises result of new development; ii. seeking to accelerate delivery on other permitted or allocated sites; 6 partnership working with both public that appropriate action will need to 6 agencies and the private sector and be taken if implementation of the iii. identifying alternative deliverable sites that are in general is necessary to ensure development plan is clearly off track. accordance with the Spatial Strategy of the plan through the progresses in a manner consistent Local Plan 2031: Part 2 or other appropriate mechanism; 7.7 The Council is also aware iv. undertaking a partial or full review of the Local Plan, if 7 with the strategy identified in this plan. 7 that the plan needs to be resilient investigation indicates that its strategy, either in whole or in part, 7.4 To deliver the visions and to changing circumstances and be is no longer appropriate. objectives in this plan, the Council flexible and responsive if the plan is will work collaboratively with key not delivering in accordance with the partners and stakeholders involved. Monitoring Framework. Core Policy

Local Plan 2031: Part One 147 Alternative formats of this publication are available on request

These include large print, Braille, audio, email, easy read and alternative languages

Please contact Planning on 01235 422600

Planning Policy Team 135 Eastern Avenue, Milton Park, Abingdon, OX14 4SB

Email: [email protected] www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk