The government’s requirement that councils consult their neighbours on housing plans lacks clarity and is holding back development, Oxford council’s leader has said after the Planning Inspectorate recommended that the local authority withdraw its draft Local Plan.

In a letter dated 11 September, the Inspector wrote to the council explaining that it had failed in its “duty to cooperate” with nearby authorities when it developed the plan.

It also said that there were no exceptional circumstances to justify the council’s decision to depart from the use of the Standard Method of determining housing need, which resulted in a significantly higher assessment of need for the city. 

In a statement, the council said it was “alarmed and extremely disappointed” by the recommendation and said that, while it was considering its options, it understood that withdrawal of the plan would likely be the best course of action to avoid further costs.