LONG-AWAITED redevelopment plans for the former US Air Force base at Upper Heyford have finally been approved.

The news comes just over 15 years after the Americans returned the base to the Ministry of Defence.

The North Oxfordshire Consortium – a group of developers which used to own the site, now known as Heyford Park – and Cherwell District Council were at loggerheads over its future for about 11 years.

But this week the Secretary of State for Local Government and Communities, John Denham, ruled that plans for business and housing developments at the site could proceed.

Independent planning inspector Daphne Mair recommended that an appeal by the consortium should be upheld, after holding a planning inquiry which took three months last year.

The minister’s ruling ends years of uncertainty for businesses and residents at Heyford Park and has been welcomed by the Dorchester Group, which now owns the site.

It wants to build 1,075 homes, a primary school and a number of retail and business units.

The former consortium, made up of house builders Taylor Wimpey and Persimmon Homes, had spent years wrangling with the council over planning permission to revamp the site.

Paul Silver, an executive director of the Dorchester Group, said: “We’re delighted that the Secretary of State has granted approval for the appeal at Heyford Park.

“The decision safeguards about 1,000 jobs and paves the way for 1,075 homes on the site.”

He said the firm would work with the district council to ensure the best possible scheme for Heyford Park.

Vehicle fleet firm Paragon Fleet Solutions, which is based at the site and employs more than 500 people, welcomed the news.

Managing director Steve Maltby said: “We’re absolutely delighted with the decision and relieved that common sense has prevailed.

“This means we can carry on with confidence at Heyford Park and continue to invest in our infrastructure at the site.

“There are some conditions to the consent and we’re fully confident that we have expertise and flexibility to manage this.”

The chairman of Bicester Chamber of Commerce, Keith Watson, a former chief executive of Heyford Park, said: “It’s about time – common sense has prevailed. The decision secures a lot of jobs and accommodation.”

A council spokesman said: “We’re disappointed by the decision and have maintained a consistent position to ensure the long-term conservation of the nation’s Cold War heritage, in line with strong guidance provided by English Heritage at the time of the application, while balancing the delivery of sustainable economic and housing growth.”

Patricia Kirby, chairman of Heyford Park Residents’ Association, said residents were still in limbo because Dorchester’s proposals for the site were radically different from those of the former consortium.

Mrs Kirby said: “The new landlord’s plans are such a big turnaround from what everyone prepared themselves for, so we’re still in the position of ‘we don’t know’.

“Until we get some different information from them, we’re still in limbo. It’s positive news that they can do something now.”

bicester@oxfordmail.co.uk