The Government is seeking planning permission to use MOD Bicester Site A as accommodation for up to 1,256 people for a period of 10 years. But one important question remains unresolved: what is actually in the ground beneath the site?
As part of its planning application, the Home Office has submitted a Preliminary Geo-environmental and Geotechnical Assessment. However, the evidence reviewed by Wrong Plan Wrong Site shows that no borehole investigation has yet been carried out to test the ground for contamination.
That matters because this is a former military storage and distribution site, and previous investigations have already raised concerns about ground conditions.
A 2010 land quality assessment found that the areas investigated were generally unsuitable for redevelopment to a domestic end use without remediation and identified potential contamination risks at Site A. The current preliminary assessment does not, in our view, resolve the questions raised by that earlier work.
Why does this matter?
Ground contamination is not a minor technical detail.
The proposal involves new modular accommodation, health and welfare facilities, roads, open space and other infrastructure intended to support a population of up to 1,256 people. Before permission is granted for development on that scale, we believe there should be a clear understanding of the site’s ground conditions and whether remediation is required.
The issue is particularly important because intrusive investigation – such as boreholes and soil sampling – is how potential contamination can be properly assessed rather than inferred from historic records and preliminary desk-based evidence.
Our concern is simple: planning permission should not be granted while a potentially significant question about the suitability of the land remains unresolved.
This is a material planning issue
The Government’s formal representation period is now open and runs until 17 September 2026. The Secretary of State has confirmed that representations received during this period will be taken into account where they raise relevant material planning considerations.
Ground conditions and contamination are therefore issues residents can legitimately raise in their objections.
You do not need to write a technical report. You can simply explain that you are concerned that previous land-quality work identified potential contamination, that no borehole investigation has yet been undertaken, and that you do not believe a development of this scale should be approved until the issue has been properly investigated.
Most importantly, put the point into your own words and explain why it concerns you.
Have your say before 17th September
There is only a very short window in which to object.
We have created pre-filled emails, a full objection template and guidance on the strongest evidence-based planning issues to make the process as easy as possible.
Please take a few minutes to submit your objection today.
OBJECT TO THE PROPOSAL
