Plans for homes at airfield not ruled out

An application to build more than 3,000 houses at Chalgrove Airfield could still go ahead.

Homes England is continuing to pursue the planning application to redevelop the land despite the Liberal Democrats removing the site from its new local plan for South Oxfordshire District Council.

Since taking over council leadership from the Conservatives, who allocated the site for housing development in its 2035 local plan, the Lib-Dems have been working on the new plan, which is to go to public consultation.

But Homes England, the Government’s housing and regeneration agency, is still entitled to bring forward a planning application after withdrawing its original application for outline planning permission in 2021 following criticism by the Civil Aviation Authority of the proposed layout of the runway.

It wants to build 3,400 homes, 35 per cent of which will be affordable, as well as two primary schools, one secondary school to allow for the expansion of Icknield Community College and a new town centre with an employment and business area.

The developers say the plan will also provide a biodiversity net gain, through native landscaping and green community space and new walking and cycle routes and active travel routes to Oxford.

District councillor Freddie van Mierlo told Watlington Parish Council: “They do have to overcome all of the barriers that made the previous proposal fail and it has to be seen whether they're overcoming it. They have done some traffic surveys in and around Chalgrove, which some residents there have noted, and they're also doing public engagement exercises, which are not a formal consultation as part of the planning process, it's their informal sort of engagement thing.

“It's fairly common these days for developers to try and do these types of events. So we'll see what happens. I'm sure it's going to spark some interest among residents, but for as long as we don't have a formal planning application, then it's just basically speculation.”

The consultation sessions will be held today (Friday) from 11am to 3pm and tomorrow from 10am to 2pm at the John Hampden Hall in High Street, Chalgrove, and a further online consultation webinar will be held on April 30 from 6pm.

For individuals that cannot make the in person or online consultation events, all the consultation information and a “frequently asked questions” document will be available at chalgroveairfield.com until 5pm on May 17 when the consultation period will end.

Kate McBride, the project director at Homes England, said: “As an existing allocated site, Chalgrove Airfield provides an unrivalled opportunity to create a 21st Century Market Town on previously developed land that integrates with the existing community of Chalgrove, helps improve the sustainability of the nearby communities and supports the delivery of long-term growth across South Oxfordshire.

“In addition to 3,400 much needed homes, of which more than 1,100 will be affordable, the plans will include schools, community facilities, employment opportunities and transport infrastructure that are needed by both the existing and new communities.

“We would like people to come and find out more about what Chalgrove Airfield will bring to the area and how the plans have evolved using feedback from local residents and to meet the requirements of the Civil Aviation Authority for the runway itself. We are also seeking views on the preferred transport options to help ease traffic flows in the area. Our team will also be on hand to talk to people and answer questions.”