Oxfordshire County Council and Cherwell District Council are working together on the Banbury Framework Masterplan and have begun meeting with local stakeholders, including businesses, employers, and transport providers to get their views.

The work builds on previous public engagement and planning for the town, including the Banbury Vision 2050 project.

It forms part of a piece of work being delivered by consultants Prior + Partners, which is expected to conclude early next year.

The Banbury plan is intended to help inform future investment planning to support the development of the town and bring in further funding to the area.

The work will support a dedicated Banbury investment prospectus designed to promote the town’s profile and attract interested parties and financial opportunities.

The process will involve bringing together evidence, expertise, and local insight to create a clear plan for the town’s future and help ensure Banbury is well positioned to secure investment and deliver long-term regeneration in the years ahead.

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Cllr Gareth Epps, OCC’s cabinet member for transport, said: “This is a chance to make a huge difference to parts of Banbury at an important point in its development, with opportunities emerging across the town centre, transport network, and key development sites.

“We recognise that an ambition of this scale cannot be achieved by the councils alone. Success will depend on building strong partnerships with those who share our passion for Banbury’s future. We know that future investment is becoming increasingly competitive, and so Banbury will need a clear vision to attract partners.

“We’ve already begun discussions with representatives from business, transport, health, environmental, cultural and education sectors to help ensure future development contributes positively to the town’s character, enhances quality of life, creates jobs and lasting opportunities for residents. We will continue listening and working with local communities to help shape a regeneration programme that delivers for Banbury.”

Cllr Lesley McLean, leader of Cherwell District Council and portfolio holder for regeneration, said: “Banbury has many strengths to build on, including its businesses, heritage, transport connections and strong sense of community. This masterplan will help identify new ways to attract investment, support local enterprise, create jobs and boost the town centre.

“Creating thriving town centres and a strong local economy that benefits residents is a key priority for Cherwell District Council. By working with our partners and engaging with businesses and stakeholders, we want to ensure Banbury is well placed to make the most of future opportunities and becomes an even more attractive place to live, work and visit.”

An Oxford educational campus in one of the city’s education and healthcare districts is being brought to market by Bidwells.

Located at 26 London Road in Headington, the 2.5-acre campus is a former preparatory school and nursery, with existing buildings extending to approximately 37,887 sq ft. The site is being offered with vacant possession and is available as a whole or in part, by way of occupational lease or freehold.

The existing campus provides a range of educational facilities including classrooms, specialist teaching spaces, a theatre, music rooms, science laboratory, gym and dining room, alongside extensive outdoor space with landscaped grounds, playgrounds, a sports court and parking.

Subject to necessary planning consents, the site could be suited to a range of future uses including student accommodation, co living, BTR, residential, medical or charitable.

Oxford is one of the UK’s leading centres for education, science and innovation, anchored by the University of Oxford and complemented by Oxford Brookes University, leading schools and world-renowned healthcare and research institutions. The city’s strong academic and knowledge-based economy continues to attract students, researchers, businesses and investment, supporting demand for high-quality educational, research, office and healthcare accommodation.

Situated approximately 1.9 miles from the city centre, the property is just a short 10-minute walk to Oxford Brookes University’s Headington Campus and close to the University of Oxford’s Old Road campus and the city’s major hospitals and research facilities.

Frequent bus services provide direct access to Oxford City Centre, London and Oxford Parkway, while Oxford Railway Station is approximately 2.5 miles away, offering regular services to London Paddington, Birmingham and the Southwest.

Bidwells is seeking offers on an unconditional or conditional basis for the whole or part of the site, subject to contract.

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Colin Summers, partner, capital markets at Bidwells, said: “26 London Road represents an exciting opportunity to lease or acquire a substantial and well-established educational campus in a highly sought-after part of Oxford.

“With extensive educational accommodation, generous grounds and excellent connectivity to the city’s universities, hospitals and research facilities, the property offers significant flexibility for continued educational use or alternative uses, subject to planning, providing an incoming occupier or investor with a range of uses for the future.”

Blenheim Estate Homes has officially opened the doors to its new Hill Rise show home in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, giving prospective buyers the chance to experience the development for themselves. 

Following a successful grand opening in September, the show home is now open to visitors looking to explore the development’s energy-efficient homes.

Hill Rise – which was built by Pye Homes on behalf of Blenheim – prioritises sustainable principles, as the development is equipped with EV charging points, each home features an air source heat pump and in-roof solar panels, removing any reliance on gas for energy.

Homes at the award-winning development benefit from a wealth of other sustainable energy features, including intelligent ventilation which gently clears steam from bathrooms and kitchens, keeps the air fresh and clean and brings in a controlled, steady flow of outdoor air, while running quietly in the background.

Hill Rise homes have also achieved an ‘A’ rated energy performance.

With a variety of three and four-bedroom homes currently available, as well as affordable homes, the development aims to foster an inclusive community.

For prospective buyers, there are currently a selection of tailored incentives for buyers including mortgage holidays and interior packages on different plots.

Visiting hours

The show homes and customer lounge are open to visitors daily, excluding Sundays, from 10am – 5pm.

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Karis McMahon-Lane, marketing manager for Pye Homes and Blenheim Estate Homes, said: “Today’s homeowners are increasingly looking for properties that are not only beautiful and comfortable, but built with the future in mind.

“At Hill Rise, we’ve put energy efficiency at the heart of every home, helping residents reduce energy waste and feel more protected from rising energy costs.”