Oxfordshire’s New Town Heyford Park: A £5bn Investment and 9,000 New Homes

The fate of Oxfordshire’s new town, Heyford Park, could be decided by the end of this month, according to Cherwell District Council. The planning application, which was first submitted in August last year, has a target decision date of Friday, March 27. If approved, the development would see roughly 9,000 new homes built at the historical site of RAF Upper Heyford near Bicester.

Background and History of Heyford Park

Heyford Park is a brownfield site that was purchased by developer Dorchester Living in 2009. The site features what was once the longest runway in Europe, and has been earmarked for development for several years. The plans for the new town include not only the 9,000 new homes but also over 100 hectares of green and blue infrastructure, including woodlands, parks, allotments, and recreation spaces.

Infrastructure and Amenities

In addition to the new homes, the development would also include four new primary schools, a new secondary school, and new buildings for libraries and community centres. The plans also include the creation of more than 5,000 new jobs, with a focus on clean tech industries. Renewable energy would be powered on site through three 900kW wind turbines and a 5MW solar park.

Planning Application and Decision

The planning application for Heyford Park has been delayed several times, with the developers initially expecting a decision to be made in October. However, several consultees, such as National Highways, have been asking for extra detail before they can give their approval. Hundreds of residents from across Oxfordshire and beyond have written to Cherwell council with their letters of support and objection.

Ahead of the decision, the case officer assigned to the planning application, Nick Wyke, will write a report with a recommendation for whether the development should be approved or not. The recommendation will be based on the information received from the application and during the consultation period. However, the councillors can vote against the recommendation, and the final decision is still uncertain.

Government Support and New Towns Taskforce

Heyford Park already appears to have the backing of the Labour Government, which is pushing for more house building during its parliamentary term. In September, the Government said Heyford Park is one of the locations in its New Towns Taskforce, meaning it could become part of a new generation of towns designed to deliver thousands of homes, new infrastructure, and support economic growth in the area.

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Conclusion

The fate of Oxfordshire’s new town, Heyford Park, will be decided by the end of this month. If approved, the development would see roughly 9,000 new homes built at the historical site of RAF Upper Heyford near Bicester. The plans for the new town include not only the new homes but also over 100 hectares of green and blue infrastructure, and the creation of more than 5,000 new jobs. We will continue to follow this story and provide updates as more information becomes available.