Bicester Motion celebrates positive determination for its Experience Quarter at Planning Committee

Bicester Motion is delighted to celebrate the awarding of a positive determination for its Experience Quarter at Cherwell Planning Committee, held on the 13^th of January this year.

The Experience Quarter is located within the area designated as Policy Bicester 8 in the Cherwell Local Plan 2011-2031 as a Strategic Development site for heritage tourism uses, leisure, recreation, employment and community uses, having been subjected to several years of pre-planning application.

Located on a prior RAF base, Bicester Motion will be an incomparable visitor and business location, celebrating all aspects of the automotive and aviation sectors. The development of its four quarters: Heritage, Wilderness, Innovation and Experience, celebrate sustainability and motion, through the provision of areas that support health and outdoor sports for present and future generations.

The Quarter will be a collection of automotive, aviation and cycling brands, creating a sustainable future for a significant heritage asset. This new hub will provide unrivalled facilities, including an active airfield, driving training and handling tracks as well as walking and cycling trails. Placing the focus firmly on the provision of sustainable transport solutions, the green open spaces and landscape will encourage the entire family to get outdoors and explore the Bicester Motion site.

The planning determination was applauded by Visit England, as Andrew Stokes, England Director comments;

“A major investment in a development such as this would be a vote of confidence for the UK tourism sector. A world-class development can put a destination on the global map. We therefore support both development and planned growth that could aid an industry that accounts for 10% of all jobs.”

Nigel Tipple, Chief Executive for OXLEP (Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership) adds;

“This new development will open up countless opportunities for Bicester and Oxfordshire and create significant benefits locally and nationally – including economic growth, training/job opportunities and new cultural leisure activities for residents and visitors alike.”

Daniel Geoghegan, CEO, Bicester Motion comments on the determination;

“The Experience Quarter will act as a location for businesses to connect with all-ages, making a range of experiences and motion-based opportunities accessible to all. As we continue with the delivery of our masterplan and the wider Bicester Motion site, the Experience Quarter provides the missing link between our historic site and the future, not only of benefit to Bicester and the local area but also of benefit to the UK as a whole.”