A resident writes about the emerging SODC
Local Plan:
South Oxfordshire District Council is developing a new Local Plan
that, once made, will shape the future of their district. They say they are
committed to involving our communities in preparing this new plan, and as it is
adjacent to our area, it will surely have repercussions throughout the Vale. (The Vale of the White Horse Local Plan 2031 was adopted on 14th December
2016). The emerging Local Plan sets out their vision for South Oxfordshire up
to 2033. It identifies where housing, retail and employment should
be located and the infrastructure required to support this growth, such as new
roads, schools, health services and sewerage. The proposed policies in the plan
will be used to help make decisions on planning applications in the
district. There is a 7 week consultation, Wednesday 29th March to
5pm on Wednesday 17th May 2017. Contact SODC for further information.
There are various ways of giving feedback - see the website for SODC or write
to them at SODC Planning Policy, 135 Eastern Avenue, Milton Park, Abingdon OX14
4SB.
Worryingly, there is very little about flood prevention in this
plan. On scrolling though, it is only mentioned once or twice.
They say in section 8.28 'Buffer zones are important along
watercourses to give species and habitats protection from increased disturbance
associated with development. The extent of the buffer is dependent on the
size and nature of the development, it should be a minimum of 10
metres wide, measured from the top of each bank. Larger developments
should provide further buffering, and these additonal areas can be used for
informal recreation.' and again in section 8.30 'Buffer zones also
help to reduce the incidences of flooding by allowing water storage and natural
drainage of rainwater'. They comment also on the value of
watercourses for flood management in section 8.22.
For anyone whose homes were flooded, or nearly, in 2007 this must seem to be a worrying trend. The Councils have made, generally, very few proactive flood prevention plans in order to mitigate the serious impact of flooding in the future. This is, at the very least, a missed opportunity.
For anyone whose homes were flooded, or nearly, in 2007 this must seem to be a worrying trend. The Councils have made, generally, very few proactive flood prevention plans in order to mitigate the serious impact of flooding in the future. This is, at the very least, a missed opportunity.
