The Government has announced its proposal to temporarily house 1,256 single adult males at an alternative accommodation centre at Site A of the former Bicester Garrison site.
Cherwell District Council was not consulted on these plans and was only notified of them hours before they became public knowledge.
The council is not responsible for any part of Site A, which is owned by the Ministry of Defence, or the Home Office proposals.
The council’s role is to provide residents with information about what is happening, ask the Home Office for up-to-date information, and demand that community voices are heard.
We recognise that this is an important issue for local communities and that residents may have questions or concerns.
We continue to make it clear to government that significant questions remain about site security, community safety, local infrastructure, public services and community impacts, and that these issues need to be fully addressed. We provided further feedback in our consultation response which objected to the proposal and is highlighted lower down on this webpage.
We will continue pressing the government for further details. This page will be updated as more information becomes available.
Latest update - 18 September 2026
The consultation period (7 September to 17 September) for the government's Urgent Crown Development application for Site A at the former Bicester Garrison has now closed.
We submitted our consultation response to government on 17 September. This followed a discussion on the response at a special meeting of the council's Planning Committee on 16 September.
The council's response objects to the proposal in its current form and raises a number of planning concerns, including transport and highway impacts, pressures on local infrastructure and services, impacts on nearby communities, drainage and environmental issues, and site safety and management arrangements.
The council's response also highlights concerns that important planning information remains outstanding and that further information, clarification and mitigation are required before the proposal could be considered acceptable.
This remains a government application being considered through the Urgent Crown Development process.
Government, not Cherwell District Council, will make the final decision.
The council's role is that of a consultee in the process; we don’t determine the application.
You can view the application documents on GOV.UK's website using the link below:
Urgent Crown Development application: MOD Bicester (Site A)
You can read our full objection below:
Consultation response submitted to government
Timeline of key events
25 June 2026: The Home Office announced its plans to use Site A at the former Bicester Garrison site, located between Piddington and Upper Arncott, to accommodate people seeking asylum as an alternative to the use of hotel accommodation.
Cherwell District Council was not consulted on these proposals in advance and only became aware of them shortly before they were made public.
On 30 June 2026: Cllr Lesley McLean, Leader of the Cherwell District Council, wrote to the Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood MP, asking several questions about the proposal, including seeking information about site operation, security, community safety, and policing. The Council made it clear that local residents would be concerned about this proposal.
At this stage, the Council had very limited information, and much of what is currently known is based on publicly available reporting.
1 July 2026: Cherwell District Council writes to over 3,000 addresses in the vicinity of the site to inform them of the proposal and ensure they are aware of how to contact the Home Office directly to ask any questions. The Council set up an email address to give concerned residents a dedicated place to share their views with the council.
24 July 2026: The Home Office confirms with Cherwell District Council’s Local Planning Authority that it will pursue planning consent via the Urgent Crown Development Process.
29 July 2026: The Leader of the Council writes to the Home Secretary again, to ask for a response to the first letter and to raise more detailed questions about community infrastructure, community safety and Community benefits.
2 September 2026: The government publishes its Urgent Crown Development application
Government ran a consultation on its application from 7 September to 17 September. We created a special: Urgent Crown Application: important information webpage
16 September 2026: A special Planning Committee discussed and approved the council's consultation response which sets out why we object to the proposal.
17 September 2026: The council submits its consultation response to government objecting to the proposal. See links below.
Read our press release published on 17 September
Read our consultation response
Further information
The Home Office has a dedicated webpage. The factsheet was updated on 20 August 2026:
MoD Bicester (site A), Oxfordshire: factsheet
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is being proposed?
The Home Office is proposing to repurpose part of the former Bicester Garrison site to accommodate people seeking asylum.
Based on information currently in the public domain, this could involve the use of a disused warehouse to provide accommodation as an alternative to hotel use.
How many people could be accommodated?
Initial reports suggest that the site could provide up to approximately 1,250 bedspaces. It is understood that, if the site progresses, it may open in phases, with a smaller number of people accommodated initially.
When could the site open?
At this stage, it is suggested that the site could open in late 2026 or early 2027. However, this has not yet been confirmed and may be subject to change.
Was the Council consulted?
No. Cherwell District Council was not consulted on these proposals and only became aware of them shortly before they were publicly announced.
We have raised our concerns about the lack of prior engagement directly with the Home Office.
We submtted a consultation response as a consultee in the government's consultation on its application. This consultation ran from 7 September to 17 September
What information does the Council currently have?
At present, the Council does not have detailed operational information about how the site would be run. The information available to us is largely limited to what has already been reported publicly.
We have formally requested further details from the Home Office and are seeking urgent engagement with them.
What is the Council doing about the proposals?
The Leader of the Council has written to the Home Secretary to:
- Express concern about the lack of consultation
- Request urgent further information
- Seek clarity on the potential impacts on local communities
The Council is also actively requesting direct engagement with the Home Office so that we can represent residents’ interests and keep communities informed.
What about the impact on local communities and services?
We recognise that residents may have concerns about the potential impact on local services, infrastructure and community safety.
These are key issues that the Council has raised with the Home Office. We have emphasised the importance of ensuring that local communities are supported and that clear communication is provided.
Given the rural nature of the area, we have also highlighted the need to understand how appropriate services and infrastructure would be provided without placing additional pressure on nearby villages.
Will there be more information available?
Yes. We will update this page as soon as further information is received from the Home Office.
We are pressing for timely and clear communication so that residents can stay informed.
How can I share my views?
Residents can contact the Council to share views or raise concerns:
Email: bicester.garrison@cherwell-dc.gov.uk
We will ensure that feedback is shared with the Home Office.
Residents may also wish to contact the Home Office directly (details will be added here once available).
Keeping You Updated
We are committed to being open and transparent with residents. As more information becomes available, we will share updates on this page and through our usual communication channels.
Thank you for your patience while we seek further clarity on these proposals.