Developer Gladman wants to build the homes, along with a mixed-use local centre, a primary school and sports pitches, on farmland north of Caversfield.

The 43-hectare site is bordered by Fringford Road and A421, just below Dymocks Farm House and Lawlors Barn.

READ MORE: Delivery boss slams Evri after pay dispute and redundancies

These properties are not included in the site boundary and access to them would be retained.

There will be two vehicle access points, with a three-arm roundabout proposed for the A4421 and a priority junction at Fringford Road.

It comprises 96 one-bedroom homes, 191 two-bedroom homes, 326 three-bedroom homes and 137 four- or more bedroom homes.

Oxfordshire County Council objects the application, saying safe and suitable access has not been demonstrated and the junction impact work is flawed.

The application site north of Caversfield (Image: Cherwell District Council)

Key issues include “inadequate visibility at both proposed accesses, a swept-path analysis which is too small for long vehicles and a lack of a firm traffic-calming scheme on Fringford Road to support proposed speed limit reductions”.

It insists on stronger active travel provisions including extending the 3m shared foot and cycle-way along Fringford Road and installing a new cycle-way on the A4421.

The highways authority also object due to insufficient detail on the sustainable surface water strategy and a lack of fully worked drainage design and calculations needed to meet national and local standards.

READ MORE: Alton Towers owner backs new Puy du Fou theme park plans

For all other service areas, including education, archaeology, waste, libraries and public health services, the county council is broadly supportive in principle, subject to details design and Section 106 contributions, which surpasses £1,370,000.

The development is expected to generate 53 nursery, 198 primary and 153 secondary age pupils. The council expects a new one-form entry on-site primary school on a 2.22ha site, which is estimated to cost more than £8.8m.

The site has moderate prehistoric and high roman potential but the council said it is content with a condition requiring a stage archaeological investigation.

There are no objections regarding waste, subject to contributions towards expanding household waste recycling centre capacity, and from the library service, subject to a contribution of £171,719 to expand Bicester Library to meet the additional demand from an estimate 1,800 residents.

READ MORE: Go-karting centre wants illuminated sign in Bicester

It signals that a contributions towards expanding Bicester Day Centre may be sought once work on impact is complete relating to adult day services.

A firm commitment is asked on delivering the mobility hub, medical facility or contributions, and better consideration of vulnerable groups in air-quality and noise assessments.

Cherwell District Council, the planning authority, is due to make a decision by June 25, 2026.

The former Top Gear and Grand Tour host bought the Windmill pub in Asthall for around £1,000,000 and renamed it to reflect his pets and agricultural pursuits.

Situated on a former dogging hotspot, according to Mr Clarkson, the watering hole featured in the fourth season of the Prime Video show Clarkson’s Farm.

The Farmer’s Dog has seen its fair share of famous names visit since it opened ahead of schedule back in August 2024.

READ MORE: 80s music legend to play gig in Oxfordshire this week

Former US talk show host Ellen DeGeneres and her actress wife, Portia de Rossi, live nearby and were spotted enjoying a conversation with James Blunt.

Status Quo drummer John Coghlan was also spotted enjoying a drink with his wife both last year and this year.

Then, last May, a British comedy and social media star visited the watering hole with Big John, making the trip to Oxfordshire.

The 52-year-old, whose real name is John Fisher, rose to online fame in recent years, becoming a viral sensation due to his love for Chinese food and his “bosh” catchphrase.

READ MORE: Five Cotswolds villages named among the prettiest in the UK

Uploading a selection of photographs from his pub visit on Instagram, Big John said: “Finally made it to The Farmers Dog pub.

“One night in Cotswolds, so stop off here first

“Big fan of Hawkstone Lager, I won’t nick the glass though. Bosh.”

The fifth season of Clarkson’s Farm will be released on Prime Video starting next month on Wednesday, June 3.

Two further episodes will then be released on the following Friday, before another pair is released the week thereafter.

The Grade II listed mansion near Wallingford was first listed in early June last year and since then a buyer has not been found.

Initially it was priced at £10m by agent Savills but in February the classic 17th-century English country home was pulled from the market and then relaunched in March at £1m less than its original listing.

READ MORE: Former CEO at Oxford International College charged with £5m fraud

It is now priced at £9m.

Mr Caine lived there with his family from 1984 to 1999, with the legendary actor, who played Alfred in Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy and Scrooge in The Muppet Christmas Carol, selling the property in 2020.

At that time it was listed on the market for £6.95m.

Sir Michael Caine’s former mansion in Church Lane, North Stoke (Image: Savills)

Michael Caine

Sir Michael Caine’s former mansion in Church Lane, North Stoke (Image: Savills)

Its listing states: “Architecturally interesting, this Grade II listed 17th century, quintessentially English country house affords its future custodian a true Swallows and Amazons lifestyle.

“Marrying period charm with the convenience of 21st century living, Rectory Farm House provides the opportunity to entertain on a grand scale.

“It is a perfect country retreat for those seeking a private edge of village estate, hidden from view.”

Sir Michael Caine’s former mansion in Church Lane, North Stoke (Image: Savills)

With 600 feet of River Thames frontage, the six-bedroom mansion comes with a Moroccan-style jacuzzi, a sauna and a 100,000-litre swimming pool.

In addition, it has two kitchens, five bathrooms, a music room, a drawing room and sitting rooms.

It also has on the ground floor a utility room, gym, plant room, boot room and two lavatories.

Outside Sir Michael added extensively to the 17,000 sq ft property and planted many specimen trees in the grounds.

Sir Michael Caine’s former mansion in Church Lane, North Stoke (Image: Savills)

Property agent Victoria Knight, head of office at Savills in Henley, said: “Situated on the longest stretch of the Thames between locks, Rectory Farm House offers hours of hassle-free boating.

“Despite its 600 feet of frontage, the house cannot be seen from the river and is surrounded by beautiful gardens and grounds.

READ MORE: Update amid pothole repair concerns on ‘Grand Canyon’ road

“Beneath the formal lawns, waterside meadows are also a haven for all manner of wildlife, including otters, swans, kingfishers, hedgehogs, sparrowhawks, buzzards, rooks and deer.”

Outside, and included in the purchase, is a cottage equipped with a sitting room, kitchen, downstairs bedroom suite and mezzanine bedroom suite.

A three bay, timber clad garage provides an additional three car ports, a large machinery store, a log store and a first floor storage room.

In addition, there is a lodge that is presently used as staff accommodation.