The Government is seeking permission to accommodate up to 1,256 people at MOD Bicester Site A for up to 10 years. But one of the important planning questions raised by the application is whether the site’s flood risk and drainage arrangements have been sufficiently resolved before permission is granted.
Surface-water drainage is a major planning consideration for a development of this scale. The proposal would introduce substantial new accommodation, roads, hardstanding and supporting infrastructure, all of which can affect how rainfall moves across and leaves the site.
Why does this matter?
When land is developed, more of the ground can become impermeable. That means rainwater that would previously have soaked into the ground may instead run off into drains, ditches or surrounding land.
For a large development, planners therefore need confidence that the drainage system has been properly designed to deal with heavy rainfall – including more extreme events – without increasing flood risk either within the site or elsewhere.
This is particularly important in and around Bicester, where surface-water and drainage issues are already taken seriously in planning decisions. Local planning requirements for major developments typically expect detailed drainage calculations, sustainable drainage systems and evidence showing how runoff will be controlled.
Important questions remain
The Government’s own application includes flood-risk and drainage material, but that does not mean residents have to accept that the issue is settled.
The key planning question is whether the submitted evidence demonstrates that the proposed development can safely manage surface water throughout its lifetime, including during severe rainfall events, and whether the required drainage infrastructure is sufficiently certain before permission is granted.
For a site intended to accommodate more than a thousand people, we believe those questions deserve close scrutiny.
This is a legitimate planning objection
Flood risk and drainage are material planning considerations.
If you are concerned about this issue, you can raise points such as:
- whether the proposed drainage strategy is sufficiently detailed and deliverable
- whether runoff from new buildings, roads and hard surfaces has been properly accounted for
- whether the scheme could increase flood risk elsewhere
- whether adequate provision has been made for extreme rainfall and climate change
- whether drainage arrangements should be fully resolved before permission is granted
You do not need to be a drainage engineer to make the point. A clear, personal objection explaining that you are concerned about unresolved flood-risk and drainage issues is entirely valid.
Have your say before 17 September
The formal objection window closes at midnight on 17 September 2026. Cherwell District Council has confirmed that comments must be sent directly to MHCLG because the decision will be made by Government under the Urgent Crown Development process.
We have created guidance, pre-filled emails and a full objection template to make the process as easy as possible.
Please take a few minutes to submit your objection today.
OBJECT TO THE PROPOSAL