A planning application has been submitted to Cherwell District Council seeking permission to allow public access to a man-made lake in Oxfordshire for a range of aquatic activities.

Merton Lake, situated near the village of Merton close to Bicester, was created during the 1990s as part of mineral extraction operations carried out in connection with the construction of the M40 motorway.

A change of use submission, referenced as application 26/01931/F, has been filed with the local authority to enable recreational access to the water body.

According to the submitted documentation, the lake possesses what the applicants describe as excellent water quality and reaches depths of 30 metres in certain areas, making it suitable for scuba diving activities.

The planning application has been submitted by Steve Glanfield and Mark Shearer.

The pair are described in the plans as water sports enthusiasts with particular expertise in the sector.

Steve Glanfield has accumulated two decades of involvement in open water swimming and related water-based recreational activities at Queenford Lake, located south of Oxford, which maintains a strong safety record according to the application.

The submission references recent periods of hot weather across the United Kingdom that have resulted in a number of fatalities at private lakes and other water bodies.

The applicants argue that this situation has heightened the need to provide safe, regulated outdoor recreational and sporting opportunities accessible to all age groups, including elderly individuals, those with disabilities, and young children.

The proposal outlines potential activities including open water swimming, paddle boarding, kayaking, sailing, angling, and scuba diving.

The application states that supporting infrastructure comprising essential buildings, storage facilities, parking arrangements, and access points would require construction to accommodate the various proposed uses.

A watersports centre would be established to allow members of the public and local clubs to utilise the currently underutilised facility, with activities focused primarily on quiet water-based pursuits.

The clubhouse structure would be elevated in response to flood risk considerations.

Internal facilities would comprise changing rooms, equipment storage, a community space providing light refreshments, and external shower installations that would be screened from view.

An elevated deck structure would provide outdoor seating and a viewing platform overlooking the lake.

Access to the site for dog walkers and spectators would be available through a modest annual membership fee, with the development intended to function as a fully integrated community facility promoting wellbeing among all participants.

The application notes that the site currently consists entirely of private land with no established legal public right of access.

The designated swimming zone would be delineated by buoys, with a short timber floating jetty featuring steps installed to facilitate swimmer entry and exit.

A car parking area providing 37 spaces would be constructed.

The lake is situated adjacent to the M40 motorway within the Green Belt.

The applicants maintain that the proposal represents appropriate development for sport and recreation purposes and would comply with both local planning policy and national planning guidance.

The landscaping scheme would incorporate a wildflower meadow.

A public consultation on the application remains open on the Cherwell planning portal until October 1.