Oxfordshire businesses and residents can have their say on major future infrastructure plans for Oxfordshire as a consultation opens today (16 July).
The Oxfordshire Infrastructure Strategy (OxIS) provides a framework for Oxfordshire County Council, Oxfordshire’s five planning authorities and key partners to establish strategic infrastructure investment priorities as well as potential opportunities for funding and delivery.
The stage one report looking at infrastructure priorities to 2040 is now being consulted upon, with Stage 2 of OxIS planned to be carried out later this year to align with the next stage of the Oxfordshire Plan 2050.
In order to rank the different projects, the OxIS scores each against five themes - environment, health, place-shaping, productivity and connectivity - resulting in a seven-point scale to determine its relative ability to fulfil Oxfordshire’s future needs to 2040.
The six-week consultation is asking the public to give their views on which of the five themes they feel are most important, whether any strategic infrastructure schemes have been missed and thoughts on the methodology used in the strategy.
Cllr Liz Leffman, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council and Chair of the Oxfordshire Growth Board Infrastructure Advisory Group, said: “The new Oxfordshire Infrastructure Strategy (OxIS) is a key piece of work that will help us to deliver a sustainable, clean, and healthy future for everyone in the county.
“Infrastructure is more than just transport. It includes other vital services such as education provision, sport and leisure, digital connectivity, energy and healthcare.
“I’d encourage everyone to take part and have their say over the next six weeks.”
The OxIS consultation will be followed by a 10-week consultation for the Oxfordshire Plan 2050 - a long-term spatial plan that will set the framework for future planning decisions about housing and infrastructure needs. Subject to final approval by the City and District councils, the Oxfordshire Plan consultation is scheduled to open on Friday 30 July.
There are clear links between the two, with OxIS setting out how we aim to prioritise and deliver against the important infrastructure strand of the Oxfordshire Plan 2050, and the public is encouraged to take part in both consultations.
