The Home Office has made an Urgent Crown Development application to MHCLG for temporary asylum accommodation and associates facilities at Site A of the former Bicester Garrison.
Published: Friday, 11th September 2026
Cherwell District Council's Planning Committee will next week consider the council's proposed response to the Home Office's application.
The special Planning Committee meeting will take place at 4pm on 16 September, ahead of the deadline for consultation responses to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) on 17 September 2026. Committee members will consider the councils proposed response.
The proposal is for accommodation and supporting facilities for up to 1,256 people seeking asylum, and the government is considering the application through its Urgent Crown Development process. This means the decision will be made by government and not Cherwell District Council. The council's role is to provide a consultation response as one of the consultees.
The proposed response identifies a number of significant planning issues that the council believes require further consideration and, in some cases, further information before government reaches any decision on the application. These include transport and highway impacts, pressures on local services and infrastructure, impacts on nearby communities, environmental and drainage matters, and questions relating to site safety, security and management arrangements.
Earlier this summer, the council called on the government to ensure residents were given a meaningful opportunity to have their views heard as part of the planning process. A short consultation period is now underway, where residents and other interested parties can comment on the application.
Residents and other interested parties wishing to submit comments or objections on the application should send them directly to MHCLG by midnight on 17 September 2026.
Comments should include the reference number PCU/RARE/C3105/3378843 and be emailed to: crowncasework@communities.gov.uk
The council has carried out a detailed review of the application, supporting reports and technical documents in preparation for its consultation response to government. The proposed response highlights areas where the council believes further information, clarification, or mitigation is required before government makes any decision.
These issues include:
- transport and highway impacts
- access to local services and infrastructure
- impacts on nearby communities, including Piddington and Upper Arncott
- drainage, wastewater and flood risk
- environmental and ecological impacts
- noise, lighting and amenity considerations
- site safety, security and emergency access arrangements
- whether proposed mitigation and management measures are sufficiently clear and enforceable.
As the Planning Committee is considering the council's consultation response, not determining the application, there is no public participation at the meeting. However, all Planning Committee meetings are webcast live on the council's website. This webpage also includes a copy of the proposed council consultation response.
Neither the Planning Committee nor the council will decide the application. Government will make the final decision through the Urgent Crown Development process.
Councillor Chris Aramini-Brant, Deputy Leader of the council and Portfolio Holder for Planning and Enforcement, said: "We would encourage anyone with an interest in these proposals to review the information available and submit their comments directly to MHCLG before the consultation deadline.
"At the same time, the council has been reviewing the application, plans and supporting information.
"Our draft response highlights a number of planning matters that should be considered as part of the decision-making process. These include transport, infrastructure and local services, environmental considerations, site safety and potential effects on nearby communities.
"The Planning Committee will consider these matters before the council finalises its consultation response to government, setting out the areas where we believe further consideration may be needed."
Further information about the application process, application documents and how to comment is available on the council's dedicated Site A webpage: www.cherwell.gov.uk/Site-A-Bicester-Garrison
Full details of the application are also available at: planningregister.cherwell.gov.uk/Planning/Display/26/01833/CROWN
Any comments on the application should be emailed directly to: crowncasework@communities.gov.uk