A slew of agricultural buildings, including one owned by the police and crime commissioner, may be demolished to make room for 1,000 new houses.

If the plans are approved, Gowell Farm, owned by Thames Valley PCC Matthew Barber, a barn and an outbuilding on Aldershot Farm, will be demolished.

In their place would be developed 1,000 houses, social and community facilities, land to accommodate a new primary school and a secondary school.

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Along with new vehicle, cycle and pedestrian access routes and associated infrastructure.

Bicester and Cherwell councillors have concerns around the development’s lack of affordable housing, renewable energy provisions and green space.

Nicholas Mawer, portfolio holder for housing on Cherwell District Council, said: “I broadly welcome this application being brought forward as part of North West Bicester Eco Town, and on land that has been identified for housing since before 2010.

“However, no development should be permitted until the realignment of Howes Lane has been completed and the development should be delivered to the eco town standards including 30 per cent affordable housing and 40 per cent green space.

“As a dog walker I have enjoyed walking on the public footpath past Aldershot farm up to Trow Pool and of course it is a shame that part of this route will now be flanked by houses.

“As portfolio holder for housing at Cherwell, though, I see the number of people that the council is called on to house, and this number is also growing.

“Therefore, I see this development as needed to provide homes for our children, those who want to move within the UK to Oxfordshire to work and those who have come to the UK to live and work in Oxfordshire.”

Councillor for Bicester North Tom Beckett also questions the development’s apparent lack of affordable housing.

He said: “Although the Howes Lane development builds in good green space, hopefully nature rich, it lacks the provision of 30 per cent social housing much needed in the area, as stipulated by Cherwell's planning guidance.

“Which is crazy whilst there is such demand for affordable two bed property. “Alongside this the houses won't all have solar panels and aren't heated from renewable sources.

“If Bicester is going to be the bright, inspiring, forward-looking space we all hope for, we need more equitable, sustainable housing to be built, which are surrounded by nature. “We also desperately need our infrastructure improved, including the Howes Lane Road.”

Developer A2 Dominion provided further information regarding which agricultural building would be demolished, but did not provide further comment.

 

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This story was written by Matthew Norman, he joined the team in 2022 as a Facebook community reporter.

Matthew covers Bicester and focuses on finding stories from diverse communities.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Matthew.norman@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @OxMailMattN1