The realm is right for rising households, providing close by faculties, outlets and inexperienced areas.
Heyford Park is positioned solely 12 miles away from Oxford (Picture: Getty)
A brand-new city with 9,000 new properties could possibly be set for the go-ahead if plans are authorized.
After saying the progress of labor on the following technology of recent cities throughout England in September 2025, 12 places have been recognized as potential new cities, which might start growth later this 12 months.
Heyford Park, positioned on the historic former RAF Higher Heyford, affords a big 9,000 new properties – and it is solely 12 miles away from Oxford. The brand new city, centred round a 505-hectare brownfield former airbase in Cherwell, affords thrilling connections to a number of neighbouring cities like Banbury, Bicester and Cambridge.
If authorized by Cherwell District Council, work on the brand new proposals might start in 2026.
Though the location is already underneath growth by Dorchester Dwelling, growth might remodel Heyford Park right into a vibrant and well-connected place to dwell. Additional growth to the world might additionally lead to important enhancements to move hyperlinks.
Dorchester Dwelling’s web site pressured their prioritisation to “cut back environmental affect with energy-efficient design and inexperienced infrastructure”, however residents have formally objected to plans for extra housing.
In a letter printed in October 2025, MidCherwell Neighbourhood Plan Discussion board stated they opposed the “lack of greenfield land and open countryside” which they deemed was “pointless [and] damaging to the native setting”.
Different listed considerations included encroachment into a number of surrounding areas and the large-scale growth being unsuited to the agricultural panorama with its historic agricultural settlements.
The Discussion board stated: “It’s not solely out of character, however is positioned inside a community of slender nation lanes that had been by no means meant to hold the volumes and varieties of site visitors which might be inevitable.”
The positioning, owned by Dorchester Group, presently hosts 1,200 properties, a lodge, faculty, outlets, sports activities amenities, a bar, a pharmacy, a restaurant and employment house targeted on renewable vitality and sustainability. The realm is bordered by the civil parishes of Somerton, Ardley, Middleton Stoney, Decrease Heyford and Higher Heyford, all inside within the Cherwell district.
Till the 2024 United Kingdom normal election, the parish was totally throughout the Banbury constituency. However, following the election, it has been represented by two Members of Parliament. The vast majority of the parish now lies throughout the new Bicester and Woodstock constituency, whereas the part given over from Somerton stays throughout the Banbury constituency.
At present, round 60% of the location is devoted to inexperienced infrastructure, enhancing biodiversity, leisure and renewable vitality alternatives, together with solar energy technology.
On their web site, Dorchester Dwelling, the housebuilding arm of the broader Dorchester Group, stated: “The event goals to grow to be the UK’s first vitality surplus city, utilising cutting-edge sustainability measures reminiscent of renewable vitality sources, energy-efficient development and sustainable transport options.
“Plans additionally embrace upgrading Heyford Station and reopening Ardley Station to enhance public transport entry and assist cut back automobile dependence, selling energetic journey routes reminiscent of strolling and cycle paths.”
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Dorchester Dwelling added that Heyford Park “exemplifies sustainable neighborhood design, aligning with the area’s imaginative and prescient as a hub for technological innovation.”
The federal government has shortlisted 11 different places for brand new cities throughout England, following suggestions made by the New City Taskforce.
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