Henley could delay development until Neighbourhood Plan is published

Henley Town Council has agreed to work with residents and neighbouring parishes to assist with the development of a Neighbourhood Plan for the area, which has been earmarked for 400 homes.

"The Town Council has agreed to hold discussions with residents and neighbouring parishes about the aims and scope of a plan and it will write to South Oxfordshire District Council asking it to delay any major development in the town until any plan has been produced," the Council said, according to a report in the Henley Standard.

South Oxfordshire District Council has approved a core strategy for 400 new homes by 2027 and has identified six potential sites on which to build the new homes. The Planning Inspector also recommended that the Council consider increasing this to 450 new homes.

A local planner told the neighbourhood that the Neighbourhood Plan could be used to help determine where new housing is built and what other development is brought forward with the new homes.

Planning committee chairman Dieter Hinke told the council on Tuesday that 60 people who were at the meeting had volunteered to help, according to local reports.

"This is a town plan, it is not a councillors' plan and we have to listen to the people of the town. Although we are leading it and facilitating it, the decision will be made by the town and we have no right to veto. After it is decided, we will go to the town for a referendum," said Hinke.