The council has received a £500,000 grant from the UK government to test the impact and constraints for large-scale housing development at Heyford Park alongside a number of significant development proposals in the area.
About Heyford Park
Heyford Park is a development site centred on the former RAF Upper Heyford airbase. It is already a key development site in the district with housing, commercial development, and community uses delivered and underway.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is keen to see feasibility work undertaken to test future sustainable development criteria.
Previously, Heyford Park was shortlisted as a site of interest in the government’s New Town programme.
Feasibility studies
To help the council better understand what is required to support any development in the wider area we are using the government grant to support feasibility studies.
Our regeneration and economy service will look at transport and infrastructure needs, including roads, public transport, utilities, education, and health provision. This includes testing alongside other nationally significant infrastructure projects.
The council’s intention is to ensure that future decisions are based on clear evidence and to ensure that any new plans are delivered to the high standards our communities expect.
The feasibility work will involve ongoing engagement with Oxfordshire County Council, MHCLG’s New Towns Unit, Dorchester Living as the principal landowner and developer, and other stakeholders.
Planning application
Separately, Dorchester Living has submitted a planning application to the council for approximately 9,000 homes at Heyford Park, which is being considered through the normal planning process.
The council’s acceptance of the government grant funding does not approve any development or alter the planning process.
This page will be updated as the council’s work progresses.