ANNEX B

Alternative Development Proposals

Introduction

A variety of alternative development locations and ways of accommodating new housing were suggested in consultation responses to the Oxfordshire Structure Plan Deposit Draft (OSPDD).  These are listed below.  Many of the alternative locations put forward were considered in work preparing the draft Plan, which is set out in the Feasibility Report accompanying the OSPDD when it was published (Oxfordshire Structure Plan 2016 Deposit Draft 2016, Feasibility Report, September 2003). 

(a)	Central Oxfordshire

Higher housing capacity in Oxford – it is suggested that there is more housing capacity in Oxford if certain employment sites are released for housing.

Land on the southern edge of Oxford - proposals include a development of some 3,000-3,500 dwellings on land south of Grenoble Road and west of the electricity switching station. Another is for development that also includes land stretching round to Watlington Road accommodating some 4,000 to 5,000 dwellings. Both are put forward as long term strategies. They also propose an extension to the Oxford Science Park.

Shipton on Cherwell Quarry - Developers propose a new settlement of at least 2,500 dwellings* (1500 within the Plan period) and 500 units of student accommodation and a research and development campus together with supporting infrastructure. It is proposed the development would be connected to Oxford by bus and in the longer term by guided bus (Expressway Oxford) and rail.  

* The amount of dwellings proposed varies in the documentation submitted and ranges from 2,500 dwellings to 3,500 dwellings.

‘Penbridge Village’ near Sunningwell - proposal for a new settlement ‘Penbridge Village’. The Transport Assessment provided by the promoters of the new village indicate a development of 2,000 dwellings including supporting infrastructure, and commercial and retail development. Access from A34 would be from an all movements interchange, which would also provide access to a park and ride site.

Expansion of Kidlington - Several submissions promote development on land in the Green Belt to the west and north of Kidlington including in the Begbroke/Kidlington/ Yarnton area. 

Small sites adjoining Oxford and in settlements close to Oxford - Submissions promote development on the edge of Oxford and in villages around Oxford such as Wheatley.     

Use safeguarded land - land at Peartree, north of Oxford and Botley are promoted for housing development.

(b)	Country Towns
	
Banbury - proposals include increasing the overall provision for Banbury (by 550 and 4000 dwellings) and further greenfield development on land to the south of Salt Way.

Bicester - developer proposals include extending the town to the southwest. Others suggest reinstating the 1,000 dwellings proposed in the draft plan considered by the County Council in June 2003 but redirected to land south of Grenoble Road, Oxford. 

Didcot - Developer proposals include extending Didcot to the north and west.

Witney - a number of submissions, including West Oxfordshire District Council suggest the housing provision for Witney should be increased to 3000 to take account of additional potential on sites identified within the town. Other submissions suggest further large scale green field development e.g. to the north and south west of the town.

(c)	Smaller towns and villages outside central Oxfordshire  

A number of representations suggest urban extensions to some of the smaller towns including Chipping Norton, Faringdon, north of Grove, Thame and Wallingford, and in villages	generally (eg Tackley and Drayton).

(d)	New settlements beyond the Green Belt

Upper Heyford -  the North Oxfordshire Consortium seek deletion, from Policy H2, of  “a maximum of 1000 dwellings”  and “including existing dwellings” and instead reference to a new settlement of “about 1000 dwellings”. Also changes are suggested to H2 (b) to make the policy closer to what is in the adopted Plan.  Other representations suggest a larger settlement than is proposed in the OSPDD.

	New settlement - a consortium of house builders suggest consideration of a new settlement beyond the Green Belt should be brought into discussions on housing provision for the current plan period.  A new settlement is proposed at an unspecified location beyond the outer edge of the Green Belt to the east of Oxford.