Oxford City Council's zero carbon housing plan to be assessed

The city council wants to build 9,600 new homes across Oxford until 2040

A plan that proposes all of Oxford's new homes and businesses should be zero carbon in operation will be assessed during a public hearing in June.

Oxford City Council's Local Plan 2040 outlines where major planning projects should go until that year.

Two planning inspectors will assess if the project meets national guidance over an initial three days at Rose Hill Community Centre.

The hearing will be open to the public and it will be livestreamed.

Proposed policies in the local plan, along with the zero carbon plan, include a proposal that all developments of 10 or more homes need to include at least 40% affordable housing.

It also includes a planned 9,600 new homes in the city.

Some other Oxfordshire councils have said they will need to take an unfair share of housing to meet demand for Oxford.

The city council said all "major developments" would also need to "plant more trees, hedges and other greenery to meet new standards".

Planning inspectors Kevin Ward and Martha Savage said they expected to begin examining the plan from 09:30 BST on 11 June, with further sessions planned on 12 and 13 June.

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