The Oxfordshire village of Chalgrove is in the running for a big promotion. Just 10 miles southeast of Oxford, it’s currently made up of just 1,200 homes. But soon, Chalgrove could nearly triple in size and be upgraded from village to town.
Homes England is a government body funding new affordable housing in England. It wants to build 2,200 new houses, as well as new schools, community facilities and employment space, on the site of a former World War II airfield next to the existing village.
Chalgrove Airfield is currently leased to Martin-Baker until 2063, a defence manufacturer that tests military ejector seats for the RAF and allied forces. Under Home England’s plans, part of the site will be retained for Martin-Baker to continue testing. They propose that the three existing runways are demolished and replaced by a single, realigned runway.
Charlotte O'Mahony, director of projects at Homes England said: ‘Chalgrove Airfield provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity to address acute housing needs in South Oxfordshire within a new community that integrates the principles of a modern Oxfordshire “market town”.
‘The redevelopment will also contribute employment opportunities, schools and supporting infrastructure. We have carried out extensive engagement with the community and statutory consultees since we acquired the site in 2016, all of which has helped inform the updated plans that will be on display at the exhibition ahead of the submission of the planning applications.’
As is often the case with huge development projects, there is some opposition. Many locals are against the project and have expressed concerns of infrastructure, environmental impacts and safety. Local MP Freddie van Mierlo has written to the Secretary of State for Defence and the Minister for the Armed Forces urging for the development plans to be dropped.
He said: ‘I fully recognise the need for new homes, but this is simply the wrong place. Chalgrove Airfield is a nationally significant site, essential to the UK’s defence capability and the safety of service personnel.
‘Allowing this development to go ahead would be a serious and irreversible mistake. I am urging the Defence Secretary to act now to safeguard this strategically critical site.’
Current Chalgrove residents will get the opportunity to see Homes England’s latest plans on Wednesday, October 22. The organisation then hopes to submit a full planning application by the end of this year.
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