Local government shake‑up: Bicester asylum centre and Universal UK

As of April 2028, the current mix of county, city and district councils in the county will be no more as they are replaced by three unitary authorities. 

The proposals were announced by the Labour government last week and will see Oxford City Council expand to create a Greater Oxford Council, taking parishes from Cherwell, South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse.

A North Oxfordshire Council will also be created with the remainder of Cherwell, along with West Oxfordshire with Ridgeway Council taking up South Oxfordshire, the rest of Vale of White Horse and West Berkshire.

Despite the massive changes to local government though, two major infrastructure projects in the county are expected to proceed as planned. 

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MOD Bicester (Image: Ed Nix)

The Bicester asylum accommodation centre is unlikely to be impacted after plans were announced by the Home Office to house about 1,200 single adult men.

The project has faced strong local opposition over concerns about safety, service capacity, and community impact.

The new council will take over the site, its conditions, and the responsibility for managing its impact.

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Universal theme park CGI (Image: Universal Destinations & Experiences/Comcast/PA Wire)

The council will also be in charge of negotiating with the government over any expansion or extension.

Meanwhile, the success of the Universal UK resort at Kempston Hardwick, near Bedford, will depend heavily on regional transport and tourism strategies.

The new councils will decide whether to pursue spin-off investment, such as hotels, attractions, and road upgrades along the Oxford-Bedford corridor, or to focus on protecting rural character.