Update on HIF1 Didcot and surrounding areas planning decision

The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has called in the recent decision of the county council’s planning and regulation committee on the HIF1 Didcot and surrounding areas infrastructure project. This means there will be a review by the government-appointed planning inspectorate and the Secretary of State will take the final decision about whether to approve the application.  

The council’s planning and regulation committee voted to refuse the application. It is independent from the council leadership and councillors who sit on the committee are tasked to make planning decisions based on what is presented to them.

Councillor Duncan Enright, Cabinet Member for Travel and Development Strategy at Oxfordshire County Council, said:

“As a council, we are committed to the Didcot and surrounding areas major infrastructure scheme. We are taking stock of the planning committee’s comments and reasons before considering our own next steps.

“The scheme is designed to provide more sustainable travel options in and around Didcot, as well as reducing a legacy of congestion in the surrounding villages and improving air quality and noise levels. It would provide vital transport infrastructure to enable more reliable journey times, improve pedestrian and cycling connectivity, and support allocated housing and employment sites.”

Notes

The letter from the Secretary of State is published on the council’s planning portal:

Planning Register | Oxfordshire County Council

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