Chalgrove Airfield Update 19th July 2018

Chalgrove Airfield Action Group
Chalgrove Airfield Update – 19 th July 2018
Homes England continues to pursue their desire to develop a new town of 3,000 houses on Chalgrove Airfield
and have held two Consultations in Chalgrove last week to showcase their current plans.
Members of SHIELD were present on both days and had the opportunity to speak with many of the people
who attended, both before and after the consultation. An Exit Poll showed that opposition for the
development remains very strong, with 96% of those we were able to ask being against the plans. The
remaining 4% were neutral. Not one person supported the development.
Many of the personnel involved with the project have changed following the rebranding of the Homes and
Communities Agency (HCA) into Homes England. However, the Master Plan for the site remains almost
identical to that produced after the Enquiry by Design. The intention is still to close our bypass (the B480) and
reroute it through the new town; the only change being more than one road once in the town, but still just one
route in and one route out. Provision remains for a new secondary school, two new primary schools, and a
new medical centre (although the positioning of these has changed) and a cemetery has been added and cycle
routes within the development (but not outside) are defined.
The development has been referred to as a ‘Market Town’, which we are told has been modelled on
Wallingford and Thame. The irony is that these Market Towns all have multiple routes in and out, and
bypasses; the only nod to a genuine market town is a central square.
Bypasses are proposed for Stadhampton, Chislehampton, Benson, Cuxham, and Watlington. Homes England
has yet to secure any of the land required for these and have confirmed that Compulsory Purchase Orders may
be necessary to do so. Any other road improvements or upgrades are limited, with nothing proposed for Mill
Lane or Berrick Road in Chalgrove. Oxfordshire County Council remains concerned that the funding offered is
only half of what is needed.
As regards Martin-Baker’s occupation of the airfield, Homes England is still showing plans that include Martin-
Baker on the site alongside the development. However, seven months ago Martin-Baker unequivocally
confirmed this is not an option; that all negotiations with Homes England are closed, and there is no prospect
of a negotiated settlement. Four months ago, they advised that any development would lead to the end of
their business on the Airfield. Despite, this, and the expenditure of almost £2m on the scheme so far, Homes
England have not updated their plans to this effect, which calls into question the validity of a Consultation at
this time. In order to proceed with this site, Homes England will need to resort to a Compulsory Purchase
Order (CPO), with the commensurate time delays and costs, estimated to be in the region of £200m.
So what happens next? Homes England intends to submit an application for outline planning permission by
the end of this year. This will be submitted to SODC and a planning committee meeting will be set for some
time thereafter. If refused Homes England can seek an appeal and the matter would likely go to a public
enquiry. Should planning permission be granted Homes England would then need to pursue a CPO in order to
progress. Success is more likely for a CPO if planning is granted.
There is also the issue of SODC’s Local Plan. This is currently under review, with a decision on which sites to
include for development due soon. Concerns raised with regards to Chalgrove Airfield have meant all 15
original sites put forward for development are being reviewed. It remains to be seen whether Chalgrove
Airfield will remain in the Local Plan. That said, Homes England have confirmed that they will still pursue
development on the airfield even if it is not in the Local Plan, but the chances of a CPO succeeding are
diminished.
We would like to thank everyone for their continued support. Everyone’s continued input is so valuable and
very much appreciated. As ever, we will keep you updated, and please pass on the message that this
development is still NOT a done deal!
chalgroveshield.org.uk press@chalgroveshield.org.uk facebook.com/chalgroveshield