Dorchester Living has submitted an outline planning application for the next phase of Heyford Park, marking a major step in the transformation of the former RAF Upper Heyford airbase into a new community in Oxfordshire.
In total, the development will create a sustainable settlement comprising up to 9,000 homes, 2,700 of which will be affordable, as well as 900 assisted living units and 180 homes for key workers.
The development will also include new schools, community facilities, employment space and extensive green infrastructure.
More than 1,200 homes have been delivered to date at Heyford Park, along with a school, a supermarket, pharmacy, hotel, barbers, restaurant and a growing commercial cluster. Dorchester has focused on creating a place where people feel connected and supported.
Improved connectivity and sustainable travel will underpin the settlement’s continued growth. A short journey from Heyford Station to Oxford, Heyford Park will aim to relieve the housing pressure from Oxford and support regional growth. Plans include upgrades to Heyford Station and improvements to the Cherwell Valley Line service providing connections between Banbury and Didcot, alongside enhanced bus routes and walking and cycling routes to encourage residents to choose sustainable travel.
Sustainability is at the heart of the masterplan, and Dorchester Living will target a minimum 10% biodiversity net gain, with approximately 60% of the site dedicated to green infrastructure – connecting nature corridors, public parkland, walking trails and an area set aside as a Local Wildlife Site.
The long-term ambition is for Heyford Park to become the UK’s first energy surplus town, generating more energy than it consumes through a combination of solar and wind power generation, energy-efficient design and low-carbon transport.
Paul Silver, CEO of Dorchester Living, said: “This is a pivotal moment in the evolution of Heyford Park. The masterplan we’ve submitted is the result of years of careful thinking and extensive collaboration with a variety of different groups, including Heyford Park Parish, Great Western Rail, Heyford Park Schools and the wider local community. This is underpinned by our genuine belief that growth can be delivered in a way that’s community-led and environmentally conscious.”
“Our goal is to deliver something exceptional and exemplar for Oxfordshire, and a national blueprint for how towns can and should be delivered in the UK, a place that not only provides homes and jobs but supports a way of life that is healthier, greener and genuinely future proof. From green energy and biodiversity to education, care and connectivity, we’re laying the foundations for a community that will thrive for generations to come.”
Stephen Proctor, co-founder of Proctor & Matthews Architects, commented: “Heyford Park presents a rare opportunity to rethink how large-scale development can respond to the social, environmental and economic challenges of our time. Our masterplan is built around a series of distinct neighbourhoods, each shaped by the site’s unique history and landscape. These new places will be connected by green corridors, walkable streets and shared public spaces – creating a sense of identity, belonging and long-term sustainability from the outset. Central to the masterplan design is the innovative reuse and integration of existing airfield infrastructure and historic structures. This approach will create a distinct urban landscape that reflects the site’s rich heritage.”
Subject to approval, Dorchester Living hopes to gain planning consent in early 2026.
