I’ve had a very informative meeting with Stuart Walker and Adrian Duffield, planning officers at the Vale. We talked about West Way, what’s happening now and what happens next.

As you probably know, the statutory consultation ended on 27 March. But the Vale will still accept comments up until probably the middle to end of May. Why so vague? Because none of the upcoming deadlines are cast in stone. Here’s the detail of what will happen:

• Doric submit their Environmental Statement. They have indicated they are aiming for mid-May. This is not cast in stone.
• Vale Officers will check it and notify the public of the consultation period.
• A three week public consultation period begins, where everyone can comment.
• Concurrently, the Vale will consult with their experts.
• At the end of this time, Doric may submit any amendments that come about as a result of any feedback.
• If Doric submit amendments, there will be another period of consultation.
• At the end of all consultations, Stuart Walker will consider everything that’s been assembled from all consultees and will publish his report with his recommendation. This is the point at which we can see what he recommends.
• A week after that, the Planning Committee will determine the application. This is expected to be the end of August, but that is only an estimate. We have requested that this planning committee meeting be held in Botley to allow people to attend easily. This may be problematic for two reasons: first, there is only one week notice of what will be included on a planning committee agenda, and second, there isn’t an abundance of selection for a venue that could hold all the people. But they have acknowledged our request.

Doric’s Environmental Statement must include several things, all of which are listed in the orignal decision published by Mr David Rotheray of the Vale’s planning department. I’ve put it on Dropbox, so you can see it by clicking here.