Heyford Park has been overlooked by ministers for inclusion in the New Towns initiative, despite previously being considered among the leading candidates.
The proposal for 9,000 dwellings on the former RAF Heyford site close to Bicester was among twelve locations under consideration across Britain. The development could ultimately accommodate as many as 13,000 properties.
The shortlist has now been reduced to seven locations, with Heyford Park failing to make the final list. All successful candidates are expected to provide a minimum of 10,000 homes, with many projected to deliver 40,000 or more over coming decades.
The Department of Housing, Communities and Local Government has declined to explain why Heyford Park no longer features in its plans, despite requests for clarification from this publication.
The decision means Heyford Park will be ineligible for government funding intended to support an affordable housing fund and a newly created investment body designed to stimulate construction activity. The size of this budget has not been disclosed.
Housing Secretary Steve Reed said communities deserve tangible improvements, including affordable properties, functioning local services, and sustainable employment. He described the upcoming generation of new towns as representing a fundamental shift in development strategy. Ministers intend to design complete settlements incorporating housing, workplaces, transportation networks, and environmental spaces as an integrated package to provide families with stability and prospects.
Despite losing New Towns designation, the development remains viable as part of Dorchester Living’s broader £5bn vision. The company awaits a ruling on its planning submission from Cherwell District Council and can proceed if local approval is granted. No firm timetable for the decision has been established, though the developer had previously anticipated authorisation by late last year.
Paul Silver, chief executive of Dorchester Living, expressed optimism about the government’s ongoing appreciation of Heyford Park’s merits and positive assessment of the developer’s credentials. He highlighted the site’s favourable position as a previously developed site within the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor, pointing to its demonstrated delivery history and alignment with national objectives for housing and employment. With 1,300 properties already constructed and an established community in existence, the development has proven its capacity to transform into a thriving settlement. The comprehensive masterplan positions the scheme favourably for continued expansion. Although the government is concentrating on more extensive projects for its New Towns agenda, officials will maintain their backing for this proposal. The company takes pride in the progress achieved at Heyford Park and remains dedicated to collaborating with central government, residents, and regulatory bodies to deliver additional housing, generate employment, and generate lasting advantages for the area.