Oxford’s housing crisis has been a long-standing issue, with demand for new homes within and beyond the city’s boundaries being driven by the area’s economic growth. Oxford City Council’s latest Housing and Economic Needs Assessment (HENA) identified the need for 1,322 new homes annually to meet the city's growing housing demand, with 481 of those homes earmarked for the city and the remaining 841 in neighbouring districts. As a result, the districts had agreed to deliver 14,300 new homes in total.
Despite these projections, the government's Planning Inspectorate (PINS) challenged the figure, asserting that Oxford City Council had no compelling reason to deviate from the standard method for calculating housing needs. According to PINS, there were no exceptional circumstances warranting a higher housing target and as a result, the draft Local Plan should be withdrawn. Instead, PINS recommended adhering to the standard method, which would significantly lower Oxford’s annual housing target to 762 homes per year until 2040 - substantially less than the proposed 1,322.
This decision has sparked concern among local leaders, such as Oxford City Council’s Labour leader, Councillor Susan Brown, who has voiced her frustration. Brown expressed that the recommendation to withdraw the Local Plan 2040 from public examination was deeply disappointing and that the Planning Inspectorate had failed to grasp the severity of Oxford’s housing crisis. Brown’s comments reflect the council’s belief that the city urgently requires more homes to address the affordability crisis, which continues to impact residents and key workers.
Further complicating matters, the Planning Inspectorate also found that Oxford City Council had not fulfilled its 'duty to cooperate' during the preparation of the Local Plan 2040. This legal duty requires local authorities to engage with certain key stakeholders, including neighbouring councils and environmental bodies, to ensure that regional planning efforts align. The Inspectorate determined that Oxford had not adequately engaged with surrounding districts or other statutory bodies during the development of the HENA.
Councillor Brown was quick to challenge this assessment, stating that the “duty to cooperate is not a duty to agree”. She emphasised that local councils should not be able to block the creation of essential housing, especially in a city facing such pressing needs. The council contended that there is no clear threshold for what constitutes adequate involvement from neighbouring authorities, arguing that dissatisfaction alone from other councils or bodies should not be taken as proof of non-compliance.
The crux of the issue revolves around the development of the HENA, which was jointly produced by Oxford City Council and Cherwell District Council following the collapse of the broader Oxfordshire Plan 2050 in 2022, which fell apart due to disagreements over how to address future housing needs.
The city maintained that while other districts opted out of participating in the HENA commission, they were kept informed of its progress. Nevertheless, the Planning Inspectorate pointed to inconsistencies in how these discussions were recollected by different parties, specifically South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils. Both councils are reported to have raised concerns about their level of involvement, which the Inspectorate ultimately found valid. The Inspectorate’s report concluded that by excluding three of Oxfordshire’s five districts from the commission of the study the city council had failed to meet its duty to cooperate. The assessment, which proposed a distribution of housing needs across the county, raised significant concerns for those districts not directly involved in shaping its methodology or findings.
Despite these challenges, Oxford City Council stands by its position, arguing that it is not standard practice for authorities to be involved in technical studies they neither commission nor rely on. The council continues to assert that it acted appropriately in the preparation of the HENA and its priority remains addressing the city's acute housing shortage.
As the debate surrounding Oxford’s Local Plan 2040 unfolds, it highlights the complexities of planning for growth in a region with competing interests. For Oxford, the challenge is balancing its economic prosperity with the urgent need to provide sufficient housing, while also navigating the intricate requirements of regional cooperation. Planning for the future involves more than just meeting housing targets - it requires a collaborative approach that addresses economic, environmental and community needs. As Oxford’s story shows, getting the balance right is crucial.
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At Bluestone Planning, we help clients achieve planning permissions for housing developments in addition to assisting clients through complex planning disputes. Whether you are working on a large-scale project or navigating objections, our expert team is here to help. We understand the intricacies of local planning requirements, including housing needs assessments and the duty to cooperate. If your project is facing challenges, we can provide tailored guidance to help you meet regulatory demands and achieve your planning goals.
For more information on how we can assist with your planning applications or objections, contact us at Bluestone Planning by calling +44 1235 766825 or emailing admin@bluestoneplanning.co.uk.
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