A COUNCIL is still forbidden from talking about its plan for the future of housing, after staff met with the government.

South Oxfordshire District Council was stopped from discussing its local plan on Wednesday, October 9, less than 24 hours before a discussion where councillors had proposed scrapping it.

This is our report about what happened at the meeting on October 9

On Thursday, senior council officers from SODC met officials from the ministry of housing, communities and local government in London to discuss the temporary direction relating to the local plan.

An announcement made yesterday by the council said: “During the period of the temporary direction, South Oxfordshire District Council’s elected members and officers cannot progress decision making in relation to the emerging plan.

“This includes the extent to which the emerging plan can be taken into account when making decisions on planning applications.”

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It added: “Following the meeting this week, the temporary direction remains in place, however discussions between the council and the government on this matter are continuing.”

There is no clear date for how long power over the local plan will remain out of the council’s hands.