Plans for 750 new homes in Bicester submitted to council
The plans have been submitted by developers Gladman to Cherwell District Council.
Bicester could get another 750 homes and a new primary school after plans were submitted to the district council.
Developer Gladman want to build the homes, along with a mixed-use local centre, a primary school and sports pitches, on farmland north of Caversfield outside Bicester.
The 43-hectare site is bordered by Fringford Road and A421, just below Dymocks Farm House and Lawlors Barn.
These properties are not included in the site boundary and access to them will be retained.
There will be two vehicle access points, with a three-arm roundabout proposed for the A4421 and a priority junction at Fringford Road.
The outline application has been submitted to Cherwell District Council, which will decide on its outcome in due course.
Gladman previously submitted a scoping opinion request for the site last year for 900 homes, a primary school, a local centre and a fire station.
The parish council for Stratton Audley previously raised concerns about these plans.
Its chairman Anthony Flack said: “The main causes of concern are poor overall infrastructure – which cannot cope – ability of utilities to handle such a development of this size, and Bicester being unable to offer key basic shops in its centre, i.e. ironmongery and clothing outfitters etc."
“The impact on villages around the immediate area – Stratton Audley, Caversfield and Fringford – will be the beginning of having a village environment eroded forever into Bicester and losing their individual identity.”
A different developer wanted to build 900 homes on the same site in 2007, but this was withdrawn that same year.
In a planning statement, the developer said: “The proposals would deliver up to 750 high-quality homes and a sustainable community, with supporting infrastructure to serve the day-to-day needs of existing and future residents of Caversfield and Bicester area and the site, all set within an attractive and healthy landscape-led setting.
“The proposals would also assist in meeting the identified LHN local housing need and would contribute towards the rectification of years of under delivery of market and affordable housing in the district.”
The plans come after a scoping opinion application for 1,000 homes outside the town, between the A41 and Blackthorn Road, was submitted.
Bicester is one of the fastest growing towns in the county and has been subject to a number of major applications, including Puy du Fou theme park nearby which is set to be decided on soon.
If the application is approved, the developer will have to submit a separate ‘reserved matters’ application, which will include more details of what the scheme will look like.
The plans can be found on the council’s planning portal using the reference number 26/00452/OUT.