Guidance

Urgent Crown Development application: MOD Bicester (Site A)

Documents supporting the Urgent Crown Development application for the 10-year temporary use of the former MOD Bicester as non-detained asylum accommodation.

• From: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
• Published: 2 September 2026

Applies to England

Ref number: PCU/RARE/C3105/3378843

Proposal: Full planning permission for the temporary change of use of the former defence storage & distribution centre site (MOD Bicester A - site) in connection with the phased provision of non-detained asylum accommodation. The Proposed Development comprises the retention and change of use of Building A6, the demolition of existing buildings and structures, the erection of new modular accommodation, and the provision of space for associated health and welfare facilities, site infrastructure, wastewater treatment plant, roads, access ways, security infrastructure, parking, staff accommodation and facilities, and open space and recreational areas, to accommodate up to 1,256 service users.

Address: Bicester Garrison, Launton Road, Oxfordshire, OX25 1AE

Applicant: Home Office

Date validated: 2 September 2026

Status: Validated. The representation period will be confirmed in due course.

For further information please contact: Crowncasework@communities.gov.uk

Documents: Documents, plans and drawings relating to application are found below.

These application documents will shortly be available to be physically inspected at Cherwell District Council Offices, 39 Castle Quay, Banbury, OX16 5FD and available on request at the MHCLG Birmingham Office: 23 Stephenson Street, Birmingham, B2 4BH.

Sensitive Information:

The Secretary of State has directed that information contained in the following documents is ‘sensitive’ under section 293B(11) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. Consequently, the documents are not disclosed, pursuant to Article 12 of the Town and Country Planning (Crown Development) (Urgent Applications) (Procedure) (England) Order 2025.

Planning application

Home Office application cover letter

PDF, 121 KB, 2 pages

Planning application form

PDF, 501 KB, 10 pages

Supporting statements

• Article 4 Notice letter (PDF, 109 KB, 1 page)
• Article 5 compliance statement (PDF, 86.2 KB, 1 page)
• Preliminary ecological appraisal (PDF, 9.68 MB, 86 pages)
• Utilities and infrastructure assessment (PDF, 1.26 MB, 75 pages)
• Transport assessment (PDF, 4.21 MB, 103 pages)
• Fire strategy report (PDF, 1.13 MB, 22 pages)
• Flood risk assessment (PDF, 3.23 MB, 61 pages)
• Drainage design statement (PDF, 1.95 MB, 100 pages)
• Archaeological and heritage assessment (PDF, 12.9 MB, 140 pages)
• Landscape and visual statement (PDF, 8.89 MB, 33 pages)
• Preliminary geo-environmental and geo-technical assessment (PDF, 17.6 MB, 164 pages)
• Unexploded ordnance risk assessment (PDF, 1.28 MB, 22 pages)
• Equalities impact assessment (PDF, 324 KB, 22 pages)
• Habitats regulation assessment screening (PDF, 1.17 MB, 19 pages)
• Noise impact assessment (PDF, 1.92 MB, 29 pages)
• Air quality screening technical note (PDF, 2.7 MB, 36 pages)
• Planning proposal statement (PDF, 2.09 MB, 87 pages)
• Statement of national importance (PDF, 325 KB, 6 pages)
• Habitats regulations assessment and PEA report (PDF, 154 KB, 5 pages)
• Travel plan (PDF, 5.74 MB, 43 pages)
• MOD Bicester Natural England letter (PDF, 136 KB, 3 pages)
• MOD Bicester drainage design Natural England (PDF, 134 KB, 3 pages)

Plans

• Site Location Plan (Drawing no. BIC-DR-AR-100105-P01) (PDF, 164 KB, 1 page)
• Existing Site Plan (Drawing no. BIC-DR-AR-100106) (PDF, 221 KB, 1 page)
• Site Parameters Plan (Drawing no. BIC-DR-AR-100107-P01) (PDF, 175 KB, 1 page)
• Site Demolition Plan (Drawing no. BIC-DR-AR-100108-P01) (PDF, 161 KB, 1 page)

National importance and urgency decision

• Notification letter to Callum Miller MP (PDF, 154 KB, 1 page)
• Notification letter to Cherwell District Council (PDF, 163 KB, 1 page)

EIA screening decision

This will include the following documents:

• EIA screening request letter (PDF, 3.36 MB, 62 pages)
• EIA screening Direction letter (PDF, 219 KB, 2 pages)
• EIA screening Direction: written statement (PDF, 332 KB, 16 pages)

Representations

Statutory Consultee responses:

Published 2 September 2026