COMMUNITY activists are asking residents in Headington to give their views on the area’s neighbourhood plan.

The draft plan, which has taken nearly two years to produce, has been developed following consultation with hundreds of people across the area.

Neighbourhood plans were introduced by the previous government in the Localism Act 2011, and allow communities to influence the the way towns, villages or city areas are developed by councils.

As part of the Headington Neighbourhood Forum’s draft plan, volunteers have drafted policies on maintaining and protecting green spaces, reducing traffic congestion, and increasing the number of homes for key workers – public sector employees including nurses.

After publishing the plan online on May 31, forum leaders are inviting residents to give their views every Saturday at The Hub in London Road until July 11.

Mike Ratcliffe, chairman of the Headington Neighbourhood Draft Plan steering group committee, said: “What I’ve seen from leafleting in Headington is a lot of people don’t have a computer, so therefore can’t access the plans.

“If they come to The Hub we can explain to them the plan and they can give their views.

“As much as we want responses online, it would be good to hear people’s views in person.”

The steering group received 500 responses to a community consultation last year which has informed the policies that have been set out in the plan.

Previously the Oxford Mail reported that the most important issue to residents was transport and traffic issues in the area.

Headington, home to three of the county’s largest hospitals and Oxford Brookes University, recently saw a £2.1m revamp of London Road, one of the busiest routes into Oxford.

But according to Mr Ratcliffe, the roads in Headington are currently at capacity and alternative forms of transport are needed.

In the draft plan it is proposed that no new major parking schemes at Headington institutions or businesses should be supported unless bus travel, park-and-ride and cycling is promoted.

Mr Ratcliffe said: “The streets of Headington have a lot of cars on them and residents are understandably concerned about congestion.

“What we’re interested in doing is promoting different forms of transport, but also we would like to see potential housing developers promote car share schemes.”

As well as promoting alternative forms of transport, the plan aims to further increase the amount of key worker housing in the area.

* Visit headingtonplan.org.uk or go the Hub in London Road, open every Saturday, 10am-4pm until July 11.