In June 2026, we formally established a Design Panel. This is a group of external experts who offer advice to help our Planning Committee make decisions about planning applications. The Panel also helps to support our work outlined in our Neighbourhood Plan, helping us to manage the incoming developments and try to preserve the character and style of Eynsham as best we can.
Who is on the panel?
The Design Panel is a group of independent, informed experts who have experience in planning and development. They range from academics and architects to those retired from roles in the planning department. All are independent of the council and share their comments for consideration only; they have no voting rights.
How does it work?
The Panel won’t have meetings, but all individuals will be sent documents and planning applications to review and comment on, as required. The intention is to ‘use’ the Panel for the larger-scale or more contentious planning applications, where there are many factors to consider and the impact on Eynsham would be larger.
A member of the Planning Committee will act as the liaison, sharing documents with their panel and collating their feedback. They will present the Panel’s views to the Planning Committee in advance of the committee members deciding on the comment to be made on the application. This comment is shared with West Oxfordshire District Council, the Local Planning Authority, who ultimately makes the final decision.
Leading the charge!
We are one of only a few Parish Councils that have created a Design Panel. Our aim is to ensure that the new, large developments planned for our village – notably Salt Cross Garden Village and the West Eynsham Development Area – will be of a high standard that people can take pride in.
This means that new neighbourhoods will be well-planned and new homes designed and built to a high quality. There must be social and community facilities and shops within walking distance. These new developments must also all be well-connected to the village and contribute to Eynsham, not deplete it.
If you’re interested in planning and local developments, please join us at any Planning Committee meeting to hear our discussions and share your thoughts on planning applications. Dates and details are on the Meetings page. eynsham-pc.gov.uk/meetings.aspx