In June 2026, we formally established a Design Panel, which offers 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.
The Design Panel consists of 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.
There are no meetings for the Design Panel. The members are sent the necessary documents by a member of the Planning Committee who collates their responses and shares these with the committee, to support the discussions around a particular planning application.
Generally, the Design Panel is consulted for large-scale developments that would have a sizeable impact on our community.
Read more in this article we published in July 2026.