HIF1 Local Public Inquiry

The HIF1 public inquiry commences on Tuesday, 20 February 2024 and is currently scheduled for 22 (plus 2 reserve) sitting days in total. The inquiry is being held because the HIF1 planning application, refused locally by Oxfordshire’s planning committee on 18th July, was ‘called in’ by the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (LUHC) on 25 July. This means a local public inquiry will be held. A recommendation will be provided for the Secretary of State, who takes the decision.

The inquiry is conjoined. It will consider both the county council’s planning application to build the 9-mile road (Case reference: APP/U3100/V/23/3326625 ) and the compulsory purchase orders required for it (Case reference: NATTRAN/SE/HAO/286 (DPI/U3100/23/12)). A recommendation on the CPO, SRO and Bridge Scheme, will be provided by the Inspector to the Secretary of State for Transport and a recommendation on the road scheme will be provided to the Secretary of State for Levelling up.
Oxfordshire’s planning authority considered the set of NPPF criteria the SofS for LUHC highlighted in his call-in letter at its meeting on 27h September. It decided it would take a neutral stance at the inquiry. The inquiry is likely to be decided on more than the NPPF criteria. Local parishes and voluntary groups opposed to HIF1 are taking part, either as Rule 6 parties or interested parties, and will make the case against the scheme. Oxfordshire County Council as the applicant is supporting the scheme.
1. Matters the SofS for LUHC has indicated he particularly wishes to be informed about: a) The extent to which the proposed development is consistent with Government policies for delivering a sufficient supply of homes as set out in the NPPF (Chapter 5); and b) The extent to which the proposed development is consistent with Government policies for building a strong, competitive economy as set out in the NPPF (Chapter 6); and c) The extent to which the proposed development is consistent with the development plan for the area; and d) any other matters the Inspector considers relevant.2. Matters also likely to be considered: a) Whether the extent of traffic modelling is robust, including wider traffic impacts and consideration of the Council’s Local Transport and Connectivity Plan. b) The effect of the proposal’s carbon impact and contribution to climate change.c) The effect of noise from the proposal upon the living conditions of people living and working in Appleford.d) Whether the design for the Science Bridge is suitable. e) Whether there are any reasonable alternatives.