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Government confirms three new unitary councils for Oxfordshire and West Berkshire in 2028  

The government has today (16 July) announced that Oxfordshire and West Berkshire’s seven existing councils will be replaced by three unitary councils from 1 April 2028 as part of its plans for local government reorganisation (LGR).  

Important changes to planning, land charges and mapping services

Our new Land Charges system and Land Charges Register are now live.

Planning

March 23, 2022

The Vale rejects the need for gigantic new “environmentally disastrous” reservoir

Plans for an enormous reservoir near Abingdon should be halted due to significant environmental concerns says the Vale of White Horse District Council in its response to Thames Water’s public consultation on futureproofing water supplies in the area.

Overhead drawn plan of housing development

January 18, 2022

Consultation opens on guide for high-quality sustainable new development

A consultation has been launched on a draft Joint Design Guide that will provide guidance on how new development can be designed and constructed to the highest quality and sustainability. The guide, produced by South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse District Councils, provides a series of steps and design principles that will be […]

January 12, 2022

Smaller communities could have a greater say on housing developments in South and Vale

Small communities in the Vale of White Horse and South Oxfordshire will now have an opportunity for greater influence on how and where houses and other developments should be built in their area. After the two district councils put together a successful joint bid for government grant funding of up to £45,000, the government has […]

December 9, 2021

More research needed before Abingdon reservoir plans can be approved

More evidence has been demanded by Vale councillors over the need for a reservoir in Abingdon and its environmental impact. Thames Water are developing a proposal to create a reservoir on land south west of Abingdon. But councillors have voted to oppose the proposals unless further independent research is carried out on whether the company’s […]

December 7, 2021

Changes to planning rules to focus more quickly on potential harm to communities

Changes to enforcing planning rules will allow two district councils to focus on cases with the most potential to cause harm to local communities much more quickly. South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils are in the top 4 per cent of local authorities for planning enforcement performance. Now a new triage system […]

Front cover of SPD document showing aerial shot of site

October 26, 2021

Views sought on future development at airfield at Dalton Barracks, Abingdon

We’re asking your views on how future development at the airfield at Dalton Barracks near Abingdon should look and feel, and how it should contribute to the area. Part of the airfield at the Ministry of Defence site at Dalton Barracks was chosen for development as part of the Vale of White Horse Local Plan. […]

A close up image of the Uffington White Horse, with the Vale of White Horse district in the background

October 11, 2021

Agenda items for Vale of White Horse District Council Planning Committee meeting at 6pm Wednesday 20 October 2021

This is a temporary news item to allow people to access the agenda items for the Vale of White Horse District Council Planning Committee meeting on Wednesday 20 October 2021.

October 8, 2021

More funding for new community facilities as updated rates for developers agreed

Councillors have agreed revised rates that developers will be required to pay towards community facilities and local infrastructure that are needed as a result of development growth in the Vale of White Horse District. Vale of White Horse District Council is able to secure money from developers towards the provision of local facilities and infrastructure […]

September 13, 2021

Consultation opens on how we engage with communities about planning

our views are needed on how we engage with you about the councils’ planning processes.

A train at a station

August 23, 2021

Council calls on the government to support Grove Station

Vale of White Horse District Council is calling on the government to commit to reopening the railway station in Grove and to make funding available for the project. A station, which would serve people living and working in Grove, Wantage and the surrounding area, has been long campaigned for by the local community.  However, progress […]