South Oxfordshire
South Oxfordshire is a mainly rural area of 253 square miles, adjoining Oxford in the north, and Reading in the south, with Wycombe and Maidenhead a few miles to the east. It has beautiful countryside, which includes rolling downland, wooded hills, historic parkland, lowlying farmland and riverside meadows rich in biodiversity. The River Thames, runs through South Oxfordshire from the north-west of the district to Goring.
Around 35 per cent of South Oxfordshire's 128,000 residents live in the four towns of Didcot, Henley, Thame and Wallingford with the majority (65%) living in the more than eighty villages and settlements of varying sizes throughout the district. Didcot, recently designated a New Growth Point, has benefi ted from investment in a new shopping centre, cinema and the Cornerstone Arts Centre and the three historic market towns each have their own distinctive character and heritage.
Agriculture is the main land use in South Oxfordshire but the district also contains many science and high value businesses, particularly in and around Didcot, and the four towns all provide a range of businesses and employment opportunities.
Economic issues
- Unemployment rates are low, currently running at less than 1%.
- The future viability of the market towns is a key concern and the survival of independent business and specialist retail outlets and improvements to visitor facilities and marketing are seen as central to the towns' prosperity.
- Farm based employment has declined by almost one-fifth since 1990.
- Small businesses thrive in South Oxfordshire; businesses registering for VAT in 2002 had the highest survival rate (77%) in the county.
- Overall the level of qualifications of residents is high, but 20% of the workforce has no formal qualification and 28% of businesses in the district report a skills gap.
Social issues
- A higher proportion of people are over the age of retirement in South Oxfordshire (20.3%) compared with the national average, and the projected increase in the population aged 75 and over between 2006 and 2026 is 66%.
- South Oxfordshire is one of the least deprived parts of the country but pockets of deprivation exist.
- People in South Oxfordshire are relatively healthy but there are 170 deaths from smoking each year, 14% of people are binge drinkers, obesity rates are rising and only 23% of adults participate in the recommended weekly level of activity.
- In May 2007 the average house price was £400,200 compared with a national average of £211,000 and the overall annual shortfall in affordable housing in South Oxfordshire is 835 units.
- South Oxfordshire experiences low levels of reported crime and feelings of safety are improving but alcohol related antisocial behaviour is a key concern amongst residents and alcohol related accident and emergency admissions are rising.
- Young people have a poor image amongst many adults but many communities also recognise that facilities and access to transport for young people need to be improved.
- Many people rely on community and voluntary action to help them to access public and other services.
Environmental issues
- South Oxfordshire has the highest car ownership to household ratio in the country.
- Poor air quality issues in South Oxfordshire are directly linked to congestion and transport emissions.
- Domestic energy consumption and CO2 emissions in South Oxfordshire are higher than the Oxfordshire, South East and UK averages.
- The amount of domestic waste recycled or composted has increased year on year but the total amount of domestic waste collected per head has also increased.
World class economy
- Create and support vibrant and thriving economies in market towns and villages.
- Achieve sustainable balance of business growth, new and more locally-based jobs and environmental protection.
- Develop a skilled and motivated workforce matched to local business needs and opportunities.
Healthy and thriving communities
- Reduce crime and fear of crime in the district.
- Meet people's housing needs in South Oxfordshire.
- Balance housing development with protecting and enhancing the environment.
- Improve the support service for voluntary, community and faith groups.
- Support local people to develop inclusive plans for their area.
- Promote and support opportunities for people of all ages to get involved in community life and support inclusive and cohesive communities.
- Promote access to services.
- Improve people's health and well-being by providing quality health care and proactively working in partnership to prevent ill-health.
Environment and climate change
- Protect and enhance the quality of our built and natural environment.
- Protect and improve the quality of our public open spaces.
- Reduce waste.
- Conserve resources and reduce energy consumption.
- Prepare for and respond to the effects of climate change.
- Maintaining and improving the quality of the natural environment and landscape.
Local Development Framework
The Local Development Framework (LDF) will support and facilitate the delivery of the aims within the Sustainable Community Strategy (SCS). The SCS document provides examples of how the Core Strategy and other LDF policies will support delivery of a key aims within each of the theme areas. Further information about the development of the LDF is available at www.southoxon.gov.uk/yourplaceyourfuture.
