Upper Heyford Community Led Plan
2026-2031

1. Introduction

This Community-Led Plan will guide the development of Upper Heyford over the next five years. It will reflect the views and aspirations of residents, businesses, and local organisations, and will provide a framework for the Parish Council to make informed decisions and to work with partner authorities.

The Plan will identify key priorities and actions to maintain the village’s character, support sustainable growth, and improve quality of life for all residents.

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2. About Upper Heyford

Upper Heyford is a rural village with a strong sense of community, historic character, and surrounding open countryside.

Over the coming decade, the village will face opportunities and challenges relating to housing, transport, local services, and environmental sustainability. The Community-Led Plan will ensure that residents’ voices will guide the response to these changes.

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3. Consultation and Evidence

During the Plan’s development, the community will be engaged through surveys, public meetings, and targeted stakeholder engagement. Feedback will continue to shape priorities and actions as the Plan will be implemented.

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4. Consultation Plan Summary

4.1 Community Engagement and Participation

Residents will remain at the heart of decision-making in Upper Heyford.

Actions will include:

• Holding regular public meetings and consultations

• Publishing newsletters, updates, and online resources

• Encouraging volunteering and community leadership

4.2 Purpose of Consultation

The Parish Council will carry out consultation to ensure that all residents, local organisations, and stakeholders will have the opportunity to shape the Community-Led Plan. Consultation will aim to:

• Gather evidence about community needs and aspirations

• Test and refine proposed priorities and actions

• Encourage inclusive and transparent participation

• Support decision-making that reflects local views

4.3 Consultation Principles

The consultation will follow best practice guidance from Cherwell District Council and Oxfordshire County Council, ensuring that it will be:

• Inclusive – all sections of the community will be invited to participate

• Accessible – multiple formats for participation will be provided

• Transparent – feedback will be recorded and reported

• Proportionate – consultation methods will match the size and capacity of the parish

• Ongoing – engagement will continue beyond the initial consultation period

4.4 Proposed Consultation Methods

The Parish Council will use a combination of engagement approaches to ensure comprehensive input:

1. Community Survey
   A parish-wide survey will be distributed to households and made available online. It will gather quantitative and qualitative data on housing, transport, environment, facilities, and priorities for the future.

2. Public Meetings and Workshops
   Open meetings will be held to present information, discuss emerging themes, and will allow residents to provide detailed feedback.

3. One to One Meetings
   If preferred, residents will be able to pop into an open surgery for individual meetings to give input.

4. Stakeholder Engagement
   Local organisations, voluntary groups, and service providers will be invited to provide input and advice on specific issues affecting the parish.

5. Ongoing Representations
   Residents will be able to submit comments via email, post, or through engagement with Parish Councillors at any time during the consultation period.

4.5 Key Themes to Explore

The following themes are commonly found in Community Led Plans, Residents input will identify the key themes for Upper Heyford:

• Housing and development needs and preferences

• Traffic, transport, and road safety improvements

• Community facilities, social wellbeing, and accessibility

• Environmental protection, biodiversity, and sustainability

• Local economy and employment opportunities

• Methods for ongoing communication and community involvement

4.6 Reporting and Using Feedback

All feedback collected during the consultation will be analysed and used to:

• Shape and finalise the Vision and Objectives of the Plan

• Prioritise actions that will respond to community needs

• Identify areas requiring further research, partnership, or funding

• Produce a transparent Consultation Statement that will be made available to residents and stakeholders

The Parish Council will report back to the community on outcomes, demonstrating how feedback will influence decisions and actions.

4.7 Ongoing Engagement

Consultation will not end with the adoption of the Plan. The Parish Council will maintain regular communication with residents, encouraging ongoing participation in village projects and in the review and update of the Community-Led Plan as needs will evolve.

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5. Consultation Summary

5.1 Purpose

The Parish Council will undertake consultation to ensure that the Upper Heyford Community-Led Plan will fully reflect the views, needs, and aspirations of the local community. The consultation will aim to:

• Gather evidence to inform priorities and actions

• Encourage inclusive participation across all resident groups

• Ensure transparency and accountability in decision-making

• Provide a clear record of community input for future reference

5.2 Consultation Approach

The Parish Council will follow best practice guidance from Cherwell District Council and Oxfordshire County Council, ensuring that the process will be:

• Inclusive – all residents, stakeholders, and local organisations will be invited to participate

• Accessible – multiple participation channels will be provided, including surveys, online tools, public meetings, one to one meetings and written submissions

• Transparent – feedback will be recorded, summarised, and reported openly

• Proportionate – methods will be appropriate to the scale and needs of the parish

• Ongoing – consultation will continue as the Plan is implemented and updated

5.3 Methods of Engagement

The consultation will use a combination of methods to capture broad community input:

1. Parish-Wide Survey – distributed to households and online to capture quantitative and qualitative feedback

2. Public Meetings and Workshops – to present proposals, discuss priorities, and allow discussion

3. Stakeholder Engagement – local organisations and voluntary groups will be invited to contribute

4. Ongoing Feedback – residents will be able to submit comments via email, post, or direct contact with Parish Councillors

5.5 Use of Consultation Feedback

All feedback will be reviewed and will inform the final Community-Led Plan by:

• Shaping the Vision, Objectives, and Action Areas

• Prioritising actions that are realistic, deliverable, and widely supported

• Highlighting issues that require further investigation or partnership with Cherwell District Council, Oxfordshire County Council, or other organisations

Where differing views are expressed, the Parish Council will balance competing priorities while remaining consistent with local and district-level policies.

5.6 Reporting and Transparency

A summary of consultation responses will be made available to the public through Parish Council channels, including the website, newsletters, noticeboards, and public reports. This approach will ensure residents can see how their input will influence decisions and actions.

5.7 Ongoing Engagement

Consultation will remain an ongoing process. The Parish Council will continue to:

• Keep residents informed about progress against the Plan

• Encourage input on emerging priorities and projects

• Review and update the Plan periodically to reflect evolving community needs

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Through this process, Upper Heyford will maintain a strong, engaged, and resilient community that will shape its own future.