Vale of White Horse
The Vale of White Horse (the 'Vale') covers an area of 580 square kilometres and extends from the edge of Oxford in the north east almost to the edge of Swindon in the south west. The north east of the district contains parts of the Oxford Green Belt and in the south the Downs form part of the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The River Thames forms the northern and part of the eastern boundary of the district.
The Vale is far more than its rural character might suggest: the two power stations at Didcot and the reservoir at Farmoor make major contributions to the power and water supply of the wider region. The UK Defence Academy at Watchfield, the Saïd Business School's Executive Education Centre at Egrove Park, and Oxford Brookes University's Westminster Campus all provide higher education facilities. There are extensive employment areas including Milton Park and the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus - one of the largest research centres in Europe. Together these two sites employ about 11,000 people.
Just over half of the Vale's 117,300 residents live in the five main settlements of Abingdon, Botley, Faringdon, Grove and Wantage. The rest of the population lives in over 70 villages and hamlets.
In autumn 2007 the Vale Partnership prepared an 'Issues and Options' report. The report outlined the issues that the Vale will face in the future and started to consider ways in which they might be addressed. The Partnership then consulted with residents and businesses to learn more about what the issues facing the Vale in the future might be, and how local people and businesses would suggest dealing with them. Hundreds of residents wrote in and attended meetings and this feedback helped with the preparation of the Vale's Strategy for Sustainable Communities (the Sustainable Community Strategy).
Social issues
- The Vale has an ageing population. Between 2006 and 2026 the population in the district aged over 75 is estimated to increase by 65%.
- Many residents have reasonable incomes but in 2007 6,000 residents (5% of the Vale's population) were dependent on means tested benefits and around 1,900 children live in low income households.
- It is estimated that 20% of adults in the Vale are obese.
- In terms of reported crime, the Vale is one of the safest districts in South East England, but the fear of crime is a real concern locally.
- Many young people say they do not have things to do in their leisure time.
- In 2006 around 44% of pupils in the Vale's state schools did not achieve five or more A* to C GCSE passes.
- There is a good sense of community in the Vale but many residents acknowledge that they do not have the time to be involved in their local community.
- The average house price in the Vale is nearly nine times higher than the average income.
- The Vale is a rural district and access to services and jobs in many areas is difficult, with many people having to use a car rather than public transport.
Economic issues
- Traffic congestion, particularly on the A34, will continue to affect the competitiveness of local businesses.
- The Vale has six times the national average of research and development jobs but China, India and other emerging economies are investing heavily in the skills needed to compete with our economy.
- Our town centres are not all enjoying the full benefits of the Vale's economic success.
- Farming continues to change, with higher grain prices making livestock farming difficult and an increased interest in growing biomass or crops for bio-fuel; both of which have the potential to change the look of the countryside.
Environment issues
- On 20 July 2007 a record amount of rain caused extensive flooding in the Vale, a sign that flooding and other extreme weather conditions may become more frequent in the future.
- In 2006 every person in the Vale produced an average of a third of a tonne of rubbish.
- There is a substantial body of evidence that the Earth's climate is changing as a result of an increase in greenhouse gases which are trapping more heat at the planet's surface.
- The growing population in the Vale and the South East will place increasing pressure on water supplies; Thames Water is consulting on proposals to build a large reservoir near Abingdon.
- The draft South East Plan proposes that 11,550 new homes should be built in the Vale between 2006 and 2026.
Priorities for action
Healthy and thriving communities
- Healthier communities.
- Improving quality of life for older people.
- Safer communities.
- Fostering a greater sense of community.
- A good understanding of town and parish priorities.
- Involving young people.
- Helping those without cars to access jobs and services.
- Affordable homes.
- Good quality homes.
- Access to good quality green spaces, sport, cultural and leisure facilities.
World class economy
- Addressing economic weaknesses.
- Building on our economic strengths.
- Maintaining and enhancing the health and vitality of the Vale's market town centres.
Environment and climate change
- A low carbon Vale.
- Living with extreme weather conditions.
- Using resources wisely.
- A high quality natural and historic environment.
Local Development Framework
The common aim of the Vale's Strategy for Sustainable Communities and the Local Development Framework is to create good places to live and work. Some actions will be tackled specifically through policies and proposals in the Local Development Framework; whilst others will be addressed through the Strategy for Sustainable Communities.
Find out more at www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/community_support_and_advice/community_strategy/default.asp.
