A PUBLIC consultation on further changes to the draft West Oxfordshire Local Plan has been launched.

The draft plan was originally submitted for examination in 2015 but was pushed back due to concerns about the proposed housing target.

An initial set of changes proposed by the council in 2016 saw the target increased from 10,500 homes to 15,950 homes including a contribution of 2,750 homes towards Oxford’s ‘unmet’ housing need.

Those initial changes were considered through examination hearings held in May and July last year and last month the inspector wrote to the council stating that subject to a number of further changes, the draft plan is likely to be capable of being found legally compliant and ‘sound’.

Consultation on these further changes, known as main modifications, is taking place until April 9.

Responses will then be sent to the inspector for consideration as he prepares his final report.

Cllr Jeff Haine, cabinet member for planning, said: “This is a vitally important document laying out the development of West Oxfordshire in the coming years.

“It has taken a huge amount of work to get to this stage and we are delighted that the Inspector has given us a positive steer subject to some further changes.

"I would encourage as many people as possible to look at the proposed changes and make comments if necessary to ensure we have the best planning blueprint for the district going forward.”

Anyone wanting to respond to the consultation should do so by 5pm on Monday April 9.

A response form and more information on the proposals can be seen at www.westoxon.gov.uk/localplan2031 along with a list of locations where the documents can be viewed.