A DEVELOPER has submitted plans to turn part of the former RAF Bicester base into apartments and houses.

The City and Country Group hopes to convert 17 Grade II listed art deco buildings into 160 apartments and houses, ranging from one to five bedrooms, at the Skimmingdish Lane, Bicester, site.

The plans, which will need approval by Cherwell District Council, will also see the conversion of a former boiler house into a five bedroom house.

The firm wants planning permission to build a further 27 homes, which it says would be in keeping with other buildings at the 22-acre site of former military offices and accommodation.

Three car parks, including the former parade ground, will be transformed into large grassed squares, including one with an orchard, and a former lodge will be turned into a cafe and shop.

There will be two new entrances off Skimmingdish Lane and a pedestrian entrance off Buckingham Road.

Helen Moore, City and Country Group’s residential managing director, said the scheme would “breathe fresh life into the site”.

She said: “Despite the unique challenges presented by this former military site, our expert team has delivered an innovative solution that is sensitive to the site’s heritage, while bringing it back into long term use, so that this important heritage asset can be protected for future generations.

“From the very beginning of this project, our priorities have been to prevent further deterioration of the historic buildings, and to ensure that our proposals reflect the aspirations of local residents.”

The ‘Building 50’ decontamination centre, intended to treat airmen who had been the victim of gas attacks, would remain intact and preserved for use by group visits, she said.

Bicester Local History Society’s Peter Chivers said: “It is encouraging that the importance of Building 50 has been recognised.”

He said the building was an important part of the heritage of the site.

Until 2004, 300 Forces clothing workers were housed at the site.

City and Country bought the site from the MoD last year for £2.4m and expects to sell homes from 2012.

A question mark still hangs over the airfield site on the opposite side of the A4421 at Caversfield, as the MoD has not put it on the market.

It is regarded as a major part of Britain’s military aviation heritage, and charity Bomber Command Heritage wants to transform it into a heritage centre or museum.