The planning inspector said in her report (32-page / 580KB PDF) that the Barton AAP would meet the requirements for soundness if a number of modifications was made, including the insertion of a new policy to reflect the National Planning Policy Framework's presumption in favour of sustainable development.
The masterplan for the development, which the Council has worked up with its development partner Grosvenor, includes the creation of three new 'character areas', which will be integrated with neighbouring communities and the wider city, to comprise up to 900 new homes as well as shops, a new primary school and green open spaces.
The AAP sets out the policies that will determine how the site, to the west of Barton, can be sustainably developed. It is part of the Council's Local Plan, which sets out the overall planning framework for Oxford from 2001 to 2016.
The land at Barton is identified in the Council's Core Strategy, which was adopted in 2011, as a "strategic location for mainly residential development comprising 800-1,200 homes with supporting infrastructure".
"This is very good news for Oxford," said Council leader Bob Price. "The Council will now be moving quickly ahead to realise our aspiration for 800-900 much-needed new homes for rent and to buy that will be built to an agreed plan that helps to meet our housing needs and provides a high quality sustainable environment for the residents."
"This is the culmination of several years' work," said the Council's Board Member for City Development, Colin Brook. "Having the AAP declared sound means we’re on track to submit a planning application for the first phase of housing and infrastructure in the spring."
"This follows successful summer and autumn engagement programmes in which residents were asked to help plan the new neighbourhood. Some great feedback was given and the master plan is now being tested in response to these ideas," he said.
The inspector's report will now be submitted to Full Council on 17 December, where it will be decided whether to adopt the AAP. The Council said the AAP will then form the basis of a planning application which it expects to submit in 2013.
