1,000 Bicester homes could damage Roman site near A41

The homes would be built on agricultural land west of Bicester, between the A41 and Blackthorn Road.

But an environment document for the early-stage plans has raised concerns about the damage to a “high archaeological potential” site.

An 80-bed care home, a local centre and open space would also be included in the development.

A geological survey of the site, which lies in a landscape of rich Roman activity, showed anomalies including enclosures, pits, trackways, postholes, ring ditches, potential boundaries and kilns.

As part of the next steps, an outline planning application should be submitted, including an Environmental Statement to assess any potential significant environmental effects.

Map showing developments in Bicester, with the red section showing where the latest 1,000 homes could go (Image: Cherwell District Council)

Other concerns have been raised about ecology, transport, limited sewage capacity and inadequate infrastructure, including no plans for a new school.

Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife is “very concerned” about the location and cumulative ecological impact.

The site extends Bicester towards a cluster of reserves, meadows and sites of special scientific interest, including a 22 hectare local wildlife site within 100m.

It warns development could sever strategic ecological corridors, contrary to the local plan policy.

With plans for the Oxfordshire Strategic Rail Freight Interchange near J10, Puy du Four theme park and major housing at RAF Upper Heyford, these could create near-continuous urbanisation, blocking non-urban tolerant species.

Ambrosden Parish Council stated strong objections to the un-allocated site, local circumstances, infrastructure, biodiversity and traffic and highways.

Launton Parish Council detailed concerns, stating surface water runoff could risk Launton Brook, fears of coalescence with Wretchwick Farm and the need for improvements to the local sewerage network.

Bicester Town Council and Blackthorn Parish Council did not comment at the time of drafting the report.

Oxfordshire County Council, the highways authority, says the submitted transport study area is too narrow and must be agreed, including key A41 junctions such as Ploughley Road, Oxford Road, Lakeview Drive, and Rodney House roundabout.

READ MORE: Motorised underpass preferred option for Bicester crossing

It demands a full collision analysis on the A41, where there has been a fatality, to understand causation and design issues, agreed trip rates, 18 and 24-hour traffic calculations and an assessment for potential speed boundary changes.

Alongside the parish councils, the county council noted a lack of proposed school and therefore the potential for insufficient pre, primary and secondary education.

As a result, the county council stresses a need for active travel links to Wretchwick Green’s consented primary school and Kingsmere secondary.

The applicant now needs to prepare a full environmental statement covering the identified topics, commission an extended transport study with the county council, archaeology evaluation and ecological strategy.