As part of our ongoing efforts to keep you informed on planning and development across the region, we’ve pulled together the latest status of local plans across Oxfordshire and the surrounding areas. This update includes key milestones, current stages, and details of any upcoming consultations. Whether you’re a developer, architect or part of the local community, we’re here to help keep you up to date with local planning policy.
Below, you’ll find a summary for each district.
Cotswold: Combined approach and upcoming consultation
At the Cabinet meeting on 11 July, it was recommended that the partial local plan update and the development strategy and site allocations plan all be merged into a single, comprehensive local plan update. This combined plan will address development needs beyond 2031.
To meet the government’s expectations, the updated plan must be submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination by 31 December 2026. As such, work on the plan must continue at pace to achieve this deadline.
The majority of development management policies have now been drafted and are ready for Regulation 19 consultation. Meanwhile, the update to the development strategy and site allocations began in 2024, with an initial consultation completed the same year.
However, due to a significant increase in the district’s housing need following updates to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), additional consultation is required. Specifically, further input is needed on the overall development strategy and the preferred locations for new housing.
To address this, the Council intends to hold a Regulation 18 (Issues and Options) consultation in Autumn 2025. This consultation will seek views on the broad locations for growth and the proposed approach to the district’s settlement hierarchy.
Oxford: Development of Local plan 2042
Following the withdrawal of local plan 2040 in January 2025, Oxford County Council is now in the process of developing its Local Plan 2042.
Cotswold
Development Strategy Consultation [Regulation 18] – Consultation – 2024
Next Stage: Final Draft Plan [Regulation 19] – Consultation Autumn 2025
West Oxfordshire
Current Consultation: Preferred Options Consultation [Regulation 18] – Closes 8th August 2025
Next Stage: Final Draft Plan [Regulation 19] – Consultation October 2025
Oxford
Current Consultation: Preferred Options Consultation [Regulation 18] – Closes 8th August 2025
Next Stage: Final Draft Plan [Regulation 19] – Consultation November/December 2025
South & Vale (joint plan)
Final Draft Local Plan Consultation [Regulation 19] – November 2024
Next Stage: Examination Summer 2025 (currently in progress with Inspector’s report expected in October 2025) – Adoption December 2025
Cherwell
Final Draft Local Plan Consultation [Regulation 19] – February 2025
Next Stage: Examination Summer 2025 (approved for submission on 21st July 2025) – Adoption January 2026 (Currently behind schedule)
For further information on these updates, you can contact Paul Slater here at Edgars via enquiries@edgarslimited.co.uk or call 01865 731700.
*This information is accurate on the date it was published: 30 July 2025
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