Green light for Bicester eco town

Plans to build 393 new homes and a renewable energy centre as part of the first ‘Exemplar’ phase of the NW Bicester Eco development have been granted detailed planning permission by Cherwell District Council.

P3Eco (Bicester) and its development partner A2Dominion welcomed the decision, which also provides outline consent for new employment, retail, social and community facilities as well as a site for a primary school to form a local centre at the heart of a sustainable new 'village'.

The proposals will unlock a £6million investment from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) in the delivery of 119 affordable homes as part of this phase of development. The resolutions to grant permission are subject to completion of a legal agreement.

Ian Inshaw, chairman of P3Eco (Bicester), said:
“We are delighted that we have now received the council’s support for the proposals. When permission is granted, it will herald the start of delivering the NW Bicester eco development as the largest Code 5 and zero carbon scheme in the country. We are determined to meet or exceed the Eco Town PPS standards and to promote innovation in sustainable living. Our vision is that Bicester as a whole will use this opportunity as a focus for regeneration. The town has the opportunity to pioneer and become a centre of excellence for green technology.”

The landmark scheme will set new benchmarks for collaborative working and for mass housing needs in the UK. As one of the biggest housing developments constructed to Level 5 of the Code for Sustainable Homes, each house will have high standards of water efficiency, exceptional levels of insulation in walls, windows and roofs and make use of modern green technology such as photovoltaic panels and district heating systems.

As the project moves to the next phase in developing an overall Masterplan, P3Eco will continue to work with A2Dominion and its partners including Cassadian Homes (Bicester) Ltd, Oxford & Mid Shires Cooperative Society, Oxford Brookes University and the Oxford & Cherwell Valley College to deliver a shared vision for Bicester.

Inshaw continued: “We aim to submit our application for the entire site by early 2012.

"This will incorporate all of our sustainable targets including the need to ensure that the right mix of employment is achieved and that the habitat within and outside the scheme is improved. Meeting the requirements of a new and expanding town, yet crucially, enhancing the natural landscape. It is a challenge that we welcome and wish to take forward with all the agencies involved.”

John Knevett, deputy chief executive and chief commercial officer of A2Dominion, said:
“We are tremendously excited about the NW Bicester eco town project and we are delighted that the initial ‘exemplar’ phase has been granted planning permission. This is an important first stage milestone for the project and comes following close consultation with the local community and stakeholders, who have helped to shape these plans. We are fully committed to delivering a quality exemplar project of which future residents, Bicester, Cherwell and A2Dominion can be proud.”

The Exemplar phase will be providing 30 per cent affordable housing to meet local needs. It will encourage people to re-think their transport habits, to rely less on private car use and consider car clubs, bike use and a high frequency bus service with ‘real time’ travel information within a design framework providing routes, including into Bicester, that will positively encourage cycling and walking. Well over 40 per cent of the Exemplar site is green infrastructure offering provision for play, informal recreation, biodiversity and allotments.