The Government is seeking permission to accommodate up to 1,256 people at MOD Bicester Site A for up to 10 years. But its own planning documents acknowledge a fundamental problem with the location: access to the site by walking and cycling is poor.
The Government’s Transport Assessment states that the location is “not ideal” in terms of sustainable transport accessibility. The accompanying planning information also confirms that there is currently no pedestrian infrastructure along the B4011 beside the site, and no cycle infrastructure along this section of road.
That matters because the B4011 is not a quiet residential street. It is a rural road with a 60mph speed limit, and the site is several miles from central Bicester and everyday services.
Why does this matter?
People accommodated at Site A would not remain inside the site at all times.
They may need to travel for shops, appointments, legal services, public transport and other everyday needs. Yet the surrounding area has limited pedestrian infrastructure, unlit stretches of road and poor access to public transport.
The Government proposes making the site as self-contained as possible and providing shuttle buses or minibuses for necessary off-site journeys. But that does not remove the underlying planning question:
Is this an appropriate location for accommodation for more than 1,200 people if safe and convenient pedestrian, cycle and public-transport access is not already available?
Road safety is not simply a question of convenience. It affects the people who would live at the site, motorists using the surrounding roads and residents of nearby communities.
The Government itself recognises the problem
This is particularly important because the concern does not come solely from campaigners.
The Government’s own Transport Assessment acknowledges that the location is not ideal for sustainable travel, while the proposed solution relies heavily on organised transport and making the site more self-contained.
In our view, that raises a serious question over whether a rural site with poor pedestrian connectivity is suitable for development of this scale in the first place.
Planning decisions should consider whether people can safely access a development – not simply whether additional transport arrangements might be put in place afterwards.
Road safety is a material planning consideration
Transport, highway safety and accessibility are all legitimate planning issues.
If this concerns you, your objection could raise points such as:
- the absence of continuous pedestrian infrastructure around the site
- the lack of cycle provision
- the speed and nature of the B4011
- limited access to nearby services and public transport
- reliance on shuttle buses and other organised transport
- whether a development of this scale is appropriate in such an isolated location
You do not need to be a highways expert.
Simply explain, in your own words, why you are concerned about the suitability of the road network and the ability of people to travel safely to and from the site.
Have your say before 17th September
The formal representation period closes on 17th September 2026. Representations raising relevant planning considerations can be taken into account when the Secretary of State determines the application.
We have created pre-filled emails, a full objection template and guidance on the strongest planning grounds to make submitting your objection as straightforward as possible.
Please take a few minutes to object today.
OBJECT TO THE PROPOSAL
