Important Heyford Park Update: Please Object by 7th November 2026
Over 10,000 people have now signed the Petition - and you have made this happen. Thank you for your support!
The planning application at Heyford Park is now open for public re-consultation until 7th November, following amendments by the developer. The application remains for development on an enormous scale - 9,000 homes, extensive commercial and industrial development, schools, wind turbines and a building up to 42m high. The revised height plan will not prevent the development from harming views from Rousham Gardens.
We therefore urge you to submit your objection to Cherwell District Council by 7th November through the planning portal or by email at planning@cherwell-dc.gov.uk quoting application 25/02190/HYBRID and providing your name and address.
There have been important developments and new evidence since our last update.
We have commissioned two specialist reports:
Heyford Bridge Heritage Assessment - June 2026
This outlines the national importance of the medieval bridge and its contribution to Grade I listed Rousham Park and Gardens, recognised internationally as one of the most important of England's designed landscapes. It describes the bridge as an exceedingly rare, possibly unique, surviving medieval bridge and causeway, with fabric of outstanding significance. The assessment concludes that the increase in traffic from the development and the station would contribute to the decay of the bridge fabric and harm the character and wider setting of the Rousham landscape in views up the Cherwell Valley.
Transport Appraisal - January 2026
This finds that the developer's traffic forecasting is deeply flawed and that, using more realistic assumptions, the development would generate more than double the traffic at peak times. Crucially, it notes that the cumulative impact of Heyford Park and three other major development proposals in the area has not been assessed. Using publicly available data, it estimates that these developments together would generate 71,178 vehicle movements each day. Despite a revised Transport Assessment, forecast peak hour traffic levels remain virtually unchanged and important cumulative traffic impacts are not assessed. The report concludes that the site is in an unsustainable location and travel would remain overwhelmingly car dependent.
A serious new issue has emerged concerning PFAS contamination at Heyford Park.
PFAS compounds are known as 'forever chemicals' because they do not break down in the environment. They can also accumulate in the body and have been linked to cancers and other serious health conditions. Surface water testing near the site identified some of the highest PFAS levels recorded in the UK, with PFOS concentrations up to 43,000 times the annual environmental quality standard. Environmental consultants identified the chemical profile as highly characteristic of contamination from firefighting foam. Released MoD records confirm that a firefighting practice area was used on the former airbase at Heyford Park.
We are pressing the Environment Agency and Cherwell District Council to carry out wider testing to establish the extent of the contamination and the threat to local people and the environment. It is our view that the planning application should not be determined until this is known. In May, our local MP raised the issue with the Prime Minister, who said that appropriate steps would be taken. There has been media coverage but no action has yet been taken. If you would like to learn more about the PFAS campaign, please visit the Gallos Brook site and view the article in Country Life, April 2026.
Since our last update, the Government has confirmed that Heyford Park will not be selected as a New Town. However, the threat of further development has not disappeared. In addition to the live planning application, Cherwell District Council has entered into an agreement with the Government to receive £500,000 of public money to fund feasibility studies and recommendations on how future large-scale development at Heyford Park could be delivered and governed.
Please submit your objections to Cherwell District Council by 7th November, quoting application 25/02190/HYBRID, and continue to share the petition widely. With more than 10,000 people now supporting this petition, it is more important than ever that our voices are heard.
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Thank you for your support.