Planning
Planning is an important part of our work. We take an active interest in issues affecting Oxford's character and setting, and pride ourselves on our professional, well-balanced and forward thinking approach to change. We seek to add value to the planning process through our unique expertise, knowledge and understanding of the City and its surrounds, acting to enhance the built, natural and historic environment of Oxford for the benefit of all.
OPT has strong links across public, private and third sector and works closely with the City, District and County Councils, with the University and Colleges and other major landowners, private developers and national and local amenity societies.
The Trust looks at planning policy at national, regional and strategic levels, receiving regular notice of national and regional government circulars and consultations, together with notification of planning consultations and applications from Oxford City Council, the District Councils and Oxfordshire County Council. Comments are sought and provided by members of the Trust’s Heritage Advisory Panel, Area Committees and Affiliated Groups, together with other interested organisations and societies. OPT works with key landowners such as the two Universities, Colleges and developers where possible and regular pre-application discussions are held. Each year OPT examines several hundred planning applications.
There has been a great deal of publicity given to the coalition government's plans to give local authorities and local people much more power to shape their own communities. How the ideas will work in practice is not known, however, what is certain is that OPT will play its part. We have always looked to 'guide change and not stop it' and that remains as true in the 21st century as it was in the beginning years of OPT. Attached is a plain English guide to the Localism Bill which we hope you will find helpful.
Trustees have decided on a number of occasions that, in furtherance of OPT aims and objectives, OPT may appear at Planning Inquiries and Appeals. OPT works closely with professional planning adviser, Steven Sensecall of Kemp & Kemp Property Consultants, and has appointed expert witnesses and taken advice from Counsel as appropriate. OPT has had considerable success at Appeals including the early Westgate proposals, and the Oxford University Library Depository Building, together with a number of smaller local conservation area issues in St. Clement's, Iffley Road and North Oxford.
Read the Trust's recent documents on planning and related issues.
