Mid Cherwell Neighbourhood Plan Consultation December 2025

Overview

A Modified Mid Cherwell Neighborhood Plan (2024 – 2042) has been submitted to Cherwell District Council under Regulation 15 of the Neighbourhood Planning Regulations 2012. It has been prepared following community and stakeholder engagement. The draft Neighbourhood Plan introduces new policies including proposed housing allocations as well as changes to some ‘made’ policies.

The Mid Cherwell area for the purposes of this modified neighbourhood plan comprises the parishes of Ardley with Fewcott, Duns Tew, Fritwell, Kirtlington, Lower Heyford, Middle Aston, Middleton Stoney, North Aston, Somerton, Steeple Aston and Upper Heyford. It does not include the parish of Heyford Park which was designated a neighbourhood area in 2024.

Cherwell District Council is now required to undertake a formal consultation on the submitted modified plan, and its supporting documents. All these documents are available online at the links below. Hard copies of the key documents are also available at the places and times specified in the public notice below.

The closing date for comments is 11:59pm Sunday 15 February 2026.

Following the consultation there will be an independent examination which assesses if the plan meets the legal requirements and subject to a positive report, the plan will then move to a referendum.

Please note that all representations will be made public and will be forwarded for consideration to the person appointed to carry out an independent examination of the Plan.

If you would like to be notified of the Council’s decision on whether to ‘make’ (adopt) the neighbourhood development plan, please state this in your representation.

Related documents

• Final Submission plan September 2025
• Mid Cherwell Area map
• Basic Conditions Statement (November 2025)
• (Appendix 1) Strategic Environmental Assessment Scoping Report(April 2023)
• (Appendix 2) Environmental report / Strategic Environmental Assessment (April 2025)
• (Appendix 2) Strategic Environmental Assessment Addendum Note (September 2025)
• Statement of Modifications
• Consultation Statement

• Appendices A-D: Please note that the contents page states the lettered appendices are A, B, C, D, K and M.  
  • (Appendix A) Amended designation of plan area
  • (Appendix B) Constitution of Mid-Cherwell Neighbourhood Forum
  • (Appendix C) Village Settlement Areas
  • (Appendix D) Local Green Spaces
• (Appendix K) AECOM Heritage and Character Assessment
• (Appendix M) Village Traffic Mitigation Report
• (Appendix 3) Housing Needs Assessment 2023
• (Appendix 4) Proposed Local Green spaces, Special Landscape Area and Local Gaps
• (Appendix 5) Treescapes Benefits and Opportunities Report 2023
• (Appendix 6) Housing Site Assessment Report - September 2025
• (Appendix 7) Heritage Impact Statement – Kirtlington 2025
• Authorisation by Qualifying Body and Member Parishes
• CDC Habitats Regulation Assessment screening

• Public Notice
• Response Form