Investing in infrastructure
Homes England recognises the need for a major development like Chalgrove Airfield to be supported by appropriate and necessary on and off-site infrastructure.
In its capacity as the Government’s housing accelerator, Homes England is uniquely placed to support the delivery of strategic sites through the provision of essential infrastructure.
Investing in Transport
Homes England is committed to ensuring that Chalgrove Airfield is connected and sustainable. We have been working with stakeholders and the local communities to develop a transport strategy to ensure that the proposals meet the specific needs of individual areas.
The Transport Strategy for Chalgrove Airfield benefits both existing communities and future residents by seeking to reduce the need to travel, then maximising the use of sustainable transport choices and mitigating any residual effects.
Our proposed transport investment was included in the outline planning application for Chalgrove Airfield submitted in June 2020 (details below) and a separate outline planning application for two new bypasses to support the development is due for submission Spring 2021.
A development the size of Chalgrove Airfield provides opportunities to improve access to sustainable transport choices. It is recognised that at times there will be an increase in traffic on local roads, and we are therefore committed to investing in local transport infrastructure across the sub-region to reduce the impacts and where possible help address existing issues.
Homes England considered a number of options for transport improvements to mitigate the potential highway impacts from the development proposals at Chalgrove Airfield, liaising with Oxfordshire County Council, landowners and other stakeholders in Stadhampton, Chiselhampton and Cuxham in the process.
Our Transport Strategy includes:
- Directly delivering and funding new bypasses at Stadhampton, Chiselhampton and Cuxham.
- Providing a network of pedestrian and cycle routes within the development and linking to the wider area.
- A realigned B480 through the development to enable an integrated place, manage the transport impact and allow safe passage from Chalgrove Airfield to the village on foot or by bike.
- Investment into new public transport with a number of new and increased bus services.
- Funding contributions towards Watlington and Benson Edge Roads.
- Public realm and traffic calming measures at Little Milton, Great Haseley,Pyrton, Berrick Salome and Brightwell Salome.
- Funding contributions towards the Oxford Gateway Bus Capacity Improvements Scheme.
- Restricting vehicular access on Rofford Lane.
- Improving Hollantide Lane.
A detailed planning application has been prepared for Homes England to deliver two new bypasses around Stadhampton / Chiselhampton and Cuxham, which is due to be submitted later this year. The bypasses are necessary to support the development proposals at Chalgrove Airfield and will help address existing highway issues, provide additional highway capacity and will improve the local environments through the existing villages
Throughout 2018 and 2019 Homes England engaged with local stakeholders, landowners and the local communities on the preferred bypass routes. Following a public consultation, Homes England commissioned a programme of surveys and other baseline assessments (April – October 2019) to understand better the environmental conditions along the preferred alignments.
Investing in the Environment
Homes England understands that investing in the environment is important. Our plans include the delivery of new open spaces, landscaping, the creation of new habitats, sustainable drainage and improvements in biodiversity to improve the overall ecological value of the Airfield.
To address future flood risk, Homes England has developed a sustainable drainage strategy which incorporates separate systems for managing foul and surface water drainage, reducing the existing risk of flooding in Chalgrove Village which includes a network of retention ponds, wetlands, swales and other mitigation through the site.
We also recognise the need for any new development to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
As well as reducing the need to travel and improving access to sustainable transport choices, sustainability measures have been embedded into the design and flexibility as provided within our proposal that will allow for specific measures – such as low carbon energy and energy efficiency measures – to be developed further as the proposals evolve to a more detailed design and reserved matters.
Our proposals include:
- A minimum of 30ha of accessible Open space, including new parks, walking and cycling routes
- New allotments
- The creation of new habitats on site and a 10% increase in biodiversity overall
Investing in Education
Following discussions with Oxfordshire County Council and Icknield College, Homes England will provide as part of the new town:
- Two primary schools, both of which will be two-form entry and will include nursery and reception classes.
- An eight-form entry Secondary School with 1,200 places and Sixth Form college with 300 places. The school will facilitate the relocation of Icknield Community College allowing space for future expansion, which cannot be delivered on its current site.
We will also ensure that we consider the needs for other education requirements including adult learning, early years and special education needs.
Investing in Community Facilities
We’re committed to delivering community facilities early in the development to ensure new homes are provided alongside services and facilities for new and existing residents.
The phasing of the development will ensure that new homes are supported by appropriate levels of infrastructure and amenities. This includes responding to consultation feedback by bringing forward the delivery of the secondary school to Phase 1 and relocating it closer to the new town centre.
Within the town centre, we will provide a range of community facilities including a community hub, retail, cafes, restaurants and health.