Oxfordshire residents can go online from today and have their say on the plans for the Oxford-Cambridge Arc.
A public consultation on the vision for a ‘Spatial Framework’ will be open for 12 weeks.
The Government is also establishing a new expert panel, which will work with local authorities and communities, to advise on creating sustainable economic and housing growth in the Arc.
The Oxford-Cambridge (OxCam) Arc is the name given to the area identified by Government as a key economic priority.
It aims to boost the economic output of Oxfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, and Northamptonshire to £200bn a year by 2050 in a strategy akin to the Northern Powerhouse.
The Oxford to Cambridge Arc mapped. Picture: OxCamArc
This public consultation is the first of three that will guide a new Spatial Framework over the next two years.
Comments will help guide local planning and investment decisions in four areas: the environment, the economy, connectivity and infrastructure, and place-making.
Leaders of Oxfordshire’s councils and Local Enterprise Partnership welcomed the consultation.
In a joint statement they said: “In launching its consultation, the Government has said it wants to work with residents, businesses and communities to create a vision for the Spatial Framework - the long-term strategic blueprint for jobs, skills and infrastructure planning and investment in the Arc area – and ensure it is built on the interests and priorities of the communities it will serve.
“This is an opportunity to shape the vision before the Government prepares a Spatial Framework, a form of long term strategic planning document, to help shape an agreed approach to protecting and improving the environment, and co-ordinating infrastructure and new developments across the Arc."
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The statement added: “In parallel with the Government’s consultation on strategic ambitions at a regional level, we are within Oxfordshire also shortly launching a public consultation on we want for our county over the longer term.
“The Oxfordshire Plan 2050 is a strategic planning document that aims to set out how we can maintain and improve the amazing environment we live in, while also ensuring Oxfordshire remains a world leader in technology and innovation, provides well paid jobs in an inclusive economy, preserves the history and heritage that draws millions of tourists each year, and gives our children and grandchildren the opportunity to own homes in the county we love.
“The Oxfordshire Plan 2050 will also help strengthen our county’s influence on the development of the Government’s plans for the Oxford-Cambridge Arc area as a whole.”
The public consultation is now live and is here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/creating-a-vision-for-the-oxford-cambridge-arc
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