Proposals to protect the historic RAF Bicester site from housing development have been agreed by members of Cherwell District Council.

The site, where World War Two bombers were once based, already has special status in the eyes of planners and now the local council has confirmed its historic status.

The site was originally developed as a bomber base in 1925 and has been described by English Heritage as the best pre-1945 example in the country. The Ministry of Defence ceased operations at RAF Bicester in 2002.

"We want to make sure the historic buildings are maintained as they represent a significant part of our national heritage," says Cllr Michael Gibbard, Portfolio Holder for Planning and Housing. "The aircraft hangers with their massive, blast-proof doors should be kept to remind future generations of the potential threat that has hung over the country in the past."

Councillors on Cherwell's scrutiny panel received a presentation from a group called Bomber Command Heritage on ideas for creating a heritage centre on the site, with historic aircraft and the possibility of some use as a working museum airfield.

The district councillors welcomed plans to educate the public about the nature of conflicts, as well as providing practical teaching opportunities relating to the engineering and machinery of the old aircraft.

The council's Executive also discussed the options (on Monday evening 17 November). It too confirmed the historic status of the site and, while recognising that some development may be needed to maintain and support the buildings, it ruled out any idea of using RAF Bicester for housing.

Those views will now be fed into the Local Development Framework which will guide development in the area over the next twenty years.