West Oxfordshire has welcomed the county council's decision not to apply to become a Government Investment Zone.

The Government scheme aims to create areas where planning regulations are relaxed to ‘drive growth and unlock housing’, with sites benefiting from tax incentives, planning liberalisation, and wider support for the local economy.

Oxfordshire County Council has decided not to take part, with Lib Dem council leader Liz Leffman writing to Simon Clark, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, saying "the de-regularisation of planning controls and reductions in environmental protection, which appear to be a condition of any investment zone, are incompatible with our net zero carbon aspirations".

Councillor Andy Graham, Lib Dem leader of West Oxfordshire District Council, agreed.

He said: "Investment in our local area is something West Oxfordshire District Council is always looking to generate but it has to be the right type of investment.

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"We need to manage growth carefully so that we protect our communities, through retention of planning and environment regulations, not abandoning them. When building new homes and growing our economy we need to make sure infrastructure enhances quality of life for our residents.

“This proposal from Government appeared to come with a number of risks, including to our local environment and limiting the delivery of affordable homes amongst other issues.

"The Government have rushed this scheme without the required details or time for local councils to feedback on how it could be changed to make sure that it works for our areas.”

Councillor Susan Brown, who leads Oxford City Council, said it was ‘regrettable’ that the county council did not consult with other local authorities on the matter.

She said: “There is a lot that needs clarifying in the Investment Zone programme and we would not countenance anything that watered down important minimum requirements on quality, environmental standards or affordable housing.

“However, we do need to be able to engage with government about investment in infrastructure support growth which is happening in Oxford and Oxfordshire.”

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Councillor Barry Wood, who leads Cherwell District Council, said the decision was ‘deeply disappointing’ and ‘a missed opportunity to bring the right jobs and growth to Oxfordshire.’

Cllr Wood said Cherwell was very interested in submitting an expression of interest "but under the formal process this has to be made via the county council, which will now not be possible.

“A great deal of work has gone in to preparing our submission, which makes today’s decision even more frustrating.”

 

 

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