A New Community Plan for Woodstock

Woodstock Town Council and Blenheim Estate have appointed CFO to consult the community about the current and future needs of the town.

The community plan will take shape across 2019. The first six months will see a wide-range of opinion and ideas gathered, while the second will see projects identified and prioritised, with strategies for delivering them set out.

Several housing development sites will be coming forward in the next decade; and it is important to ensure that the special character of the town is preserved, facilities are enhanced where necessary and the new developments successfully integrate with the existing communities in Woodstock.

Some projects that emerge from the community conversation may be achievable through the developer contributions (Section 106) process on new development sites; some may be designed into new developments; and some may need a different approach. It is important to say that not all projects will be achieved via forthcoming development. Some may need a different approach, perhaps more long-term.

Initial conversations suggest that key issues for the town may be affordability of the new houses, a doctors’ surgery, schools and pre-schools, green spaces and parking.

But we also want to find out more about the needs of community organisations and groups, the challenges they face now and as the town grows. What can be done to help meet those challenges? What new organisations might be needed as the population grows? How can they be best supported?

Make your voice heard

A comprehensive consultation plan is being developed in order to reach the many different parts of Woodstock. There will be open events where all will be invited to come along and share ideas, a community survey to reach a wider audience and more focused approaches to seek the opinion of harder-to-reach residents.

Upcoming events

The first events to find out more about the Community Plan and to share your ideas and opinions are coming up soon:

• Main launch event: Saturday 9 March, 10-2 @ The Community Centre – there will be a presentation about the plan at 10am and midday, with discussion in-between
• Tuesday 12 March: 6.30-9.30 @ Marlborough School Library
• Tuesday 19 March: 7.30 @ The Community Centre– this is the annual Town Meeting, there will be an agenda item about the plan
• Friday 22 March: 11-1, drop-in session @ Oxfordshire Museum Café – CFO staff will be available if you want to share your views

You can comment at any time on the plan by emailing: [email protected]