The vision for a new urban centre in south west Bicester moved a step closer when planning permission for the scheme was issued by Cherwell District Council.

This follows several years of negotiation and planning between the Council, Oxfordshire County Council and the developers, Countryside Properties.

Permission was granted for the construction of 1,585 new homes in south west Bicester, as well as neighbourhood retail outlets and community facilities, schools, offices and employment premises and open space.

Councillor Michael Gibbard, Portfolio Holder for Planning and Housing said: "The scheme will greatly enhance services and facilities for the town, creating affordable housing and much needed sports areas for Bicester. It also demonstrates our continuing commitment to the economic prosperity of Bicester."

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The developer will also contribute facilities and funding to provide a package of supporting infrastructure for the housing development that will benefit the wider community. This has secured the Council and Oxfordshire County Council with over £14m for major improvements to local infrastructure and services in and around Bicester including public transport, education, library services and highway improvements.

The agreement will ensure that 30% of the new properties will be built as affordable homes. It will also provide 17 hectares of land for a sports village, and land for secondary education, as well as the provision for a primary school. A new south west peripheral road from A41 to Howes Lane will be constructed - to ease congestion. There will be improvements to public transport, new health facilities, more sustainable drainage, as well as new areas of open space.

(CD/JM)