In September, Inspectors examining the South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Joint Local Plan said it had failed on the “Duty to Co-operate”, suggesting the councils might need to withdraw the plan from the examination process as a result.
Following a statement from Matthew Pennycook MP, Minister of State for Housing and Planning, the government has indicated that it intends to remove the Duty to Co-operate from the plan making process early in the new year, and that it would apply to Local Plans currently going through the examination process – which means it would apply to the Joint Local Plan.
Following the government’s announcement, the Inspectors examining the Joint Local Plan wrote to the councils asking them how they would like to proceed.
The councils have now responded, saying they would like the examinations hearings to resume so that the plan can move forward towards adoption. You can read the Inspectors’ letter and the councils’ response on the councils’ website.