BICESTER HERITAGE ANNOUNCES PLANNING APPROVAL FOR EXPANSION

BICESTER HERITAGE ANNOUNCES PLANNING APPROVAL FOR EXPANSION OWING TO EXCEPTIONAL DEMAND WITH ‘NEW TECHNICAL SITE’
DEVELOPMENT
• Bicester Heritage 100% occupied and creating new buildings to satisfy demand with ‘New Technical Site’ zone
• Planning submission approved for eight new heritage buildings following ever increasing demand for space within former RAF Bicester site
• Modern commercial units have been carefully designed and are in keeping with the existing RAF vernacular and modern building
requirements
• New Technical Site will provide 70,000 ft2 brand new engineering, office, showroom and storage units in 8 new buildings
Bicester, 20th December 2018 – Now at capacity with 40 specialists, the next stage in the overall vision of Bicester Heritage as a unique home for automotive
past, present and future has been announced to create 70,000 ft2 of brand new buildings to create the ‘New Technical Site’. The exceptional demand for
showroom, workshop, office and apprenticeship facilities at the once ‘at risk’ historic site of former RAF Bicester drives the latest phase.
Plans have been unanimously approved by Cherwell District Council’s planning committee for the construction of eight new buildings with a combined total
footprint of 70,000 square feet. Named the ‘New Technical Site’, this section shall be the base for an extension to the existing engineering, sales, office and
apprenticeship hub, providing much-needed space for skilled businesses in the historic motoring arena.
Designed as integral to the historic site, and with access via the existing Main Entrance, each modern commercial unit has been designed to be strictly in keeping
with the historic aesthetic of the existing structures, with large amounts of similar materials resonating with the restored buildings of the historic
Technical Site which the new development shall sit adjacent to.
The New Technical Site development will further cement Bicester Heritage as the National Centre for Historic Motoring Excellence, now that the early 20th century
buildings of the former RAF Bomber Station have been restored to create the world’s first and only centre for the historic motoring industry.
With the historic Technical Site now at full capacity with 40 tenants, the addition of this development will not only provide further skilled employment but also
expand the plethora of engineering, showroom and workshop based skillsets already found on site. The New Technical Site borders Skimmingdish Lane on the
north edge of the Bicester ring road, and is integrated to the ‘marina-like’ business cluster of Bicester Heritage.
With unbeatable transport links on the doorstep and class-leading events, the New Technical Site development is a clear commitment to the future of the
historic motoring industry.
The news of this latest round of successful planning comes on the back of the unanimous approval for a landmark 344 bedroom hotel, conference and leisure
centre at the Bicester Heritage site. The hotel will encourage a wide range of visitors to Oxfordshire across the business and leisure sectors increasing dwell
time in the area significantly, as well as bringing in a projected 250,000 visitors per annum and creating an estimated 180 full time jobs. Its scale will put it
amongst the top 15 largest hotels outside of London, answering the question of under-supply in the regional hotel sector.
Dan Geoghegan, Managing Director of Bicester Heritage, commented “We have been at capacity for some time and are very much looking forward to being able
to welcome businesses wishing to benefit from the ‘Bicester Heritage effect’, providing business synergies as well as a modern-day quality experience that
enthusiasts and their families demand”.
“With the impressive growth of a number of existing specialists here, we expect the units to cater for their expansion, whilst also being able to welcome a new
cadre of class-leading companies. An additional 10 businesses are expected once
works are completed.’
Cllr Colin Clarke, lead member for Cherwell District Council Planning, said “The approval of these new buildings is great news for opportunity and growth in our
district. Knowledge-driven and led by technology, the businesses based at Bicester Heritage do a great job attracting visitors and providing professional
opportunities for local people.
“With this track record in mind, the extension of Bicester Heritage’s technical site onto a disused area of land makes perfect sense. It will mean successful
companies already based there can expand without relocating and it supports the wider corridor of motoring and aviation engineering in our district.”
Cllr Debbie Pickford commented “I cannot think of anything that would be more welcome for the Bicester and Cherwell area”, whilst her colleague Cllr Leslie
Sibley, said that this project was a “fantastic opportunity for Bicester….we need more developments like this.”

Ends

Bicester is becoming a hot bed for new and existing businesses that want to grow.

“Bicester is becoming a hot bed for new and existing businesses that want to grow. We’ve got a great location, excellent business networks and access to high quality investment opportunities.”

2016-09-24T12:44:28+01:00

“Bicester is becoming a hot bed for new and existing businesses that want to grow. We’ve got a great location, excellent business networks and access to high quality investment opportunities.”

https://www.bicestervision.co.uk/testimonials/bicester-is-becoming-a-hot-bed-for-new-and-existing-businesses-that-want-to-grow/

Membership of Bicester Vision has provided the best possible conduit for the military

"Membership of Bicester Vision has provided the best possible conduit for the military to both understand and contribute towards the development and Bicester Town"

2016-12-06T14:46:03+00:00

"Membership of Bicester Vision has provided the best possible conduit for the military to both understand and contribute towards the development and Bicester Town"

https://www.bicestervision.co.uk/testimonials/membership-bicester-vision-provided-best-possible-conduit-military/

Being a member enables us to build a close understanding of the needs of local businesses

“Chiltern Railways provides fast, frequent train services from Bicester North station and the newly opened Bicester Village station to London, Birmingham, Oxford and key locations in between. Being a member of Bicester Vision enables us to build a close understanding of the needs of local businesses and helps us to shape our future growth strategy.”

Stephen Barker, Chiltern Railways

2016-12-07T09:04:34+00:00

https://www.bicestervision.co.uk/testimonials/member-enables-us-build-close-understanding-needs-local-businesses/

We have a profound interest in the progress of the Town

“The Bicester Chamber of Commerce and Bicester Vision have a profound interest in the progress of the Town and understand that in some circumstances the continual increase in the numbers of houses and businesses will cause disquiet, to individuals and existing business alike. Change is always with us, and both the “Chamber” and “Vision” endeavour to keep the standards from the past while facing, and working, with the challenges of the future.”

Peter Cox, Chairman of Bicester Chamber

2016-12-07T09:07:17+00:00

https://www.bicestervision.co.uk/testimonials/bicester-chamber-commerce-bicester-vision-profound-interest-progress-town/

The primary objective for Bicester Vision is to provide opportunities for job creation

"The primary objective for Bicester Vision is to provide opportunities for job creation and this supports a key commitment within our Local Plan to deliver employment in line with housing. As a designated Garden Town, Bicester is expanding at the pace so it is essential to attract the inward investment and businesses who will be vital to this success. Through our membership with Bicester Vision, we can work with partners and existing businesses to access to additional channels, resources and innovative ideas to help us to achieve our goal as a district of opportunity and employment."

Karen Curtin, Commercial Director (Bicester) , Cherwell District Council

2016-12-07T09:10:34+00:00

"The primary objective for Bicester Vision is to provide opportunities for job creation and this supports a key commitment within our Local Plan to deliver employment in line with housing. As a designated Garden Town, Bicester is expanding at the pace so it is essential to attract the inward investment and businesses who will be vital to this success. Through our membership with Bicester Vision, we can work with partners and existing businesses to access to additional channels, resources and innovative ideas to help us to achieve our goal as a district of opportunity and employment."Karen Curtin, Commercial Director (Bicester) , Cherwell District Council

https://www.bicestervision.co.uk/testimonials/primary-objective-bicester-vision-provide-opportunities-job-creation/

The County Council is a key partner in delivering infrastructure for housing and employment growth in Bicester

"The County Council is a key partner in delivering infrastructure for housing and employment growth in Bicester. Essential to that is the close working across all tiers of government and the private sector to enable all Bicester businesses to prosper and create job opportunities for the community. The Council has been a founding member and has seen the work of the partnership play an active role in shaping a flourishing Bicester."

Lisa Michelson, Locality Manager , Oxfordshire County Council

2016-12-07T09:30:32+00:00

"The County Council is a key partner in delivering infrastructure for housing and employment growth in Bicester. Essential to that is the close working across all tiers of government and the private sector to enable all Bicester businesses to prosper and create job opportunities for the community. The Council has been a founding member and has seen the work of the partnership play an active role in shaping a flourishing Bicester."Lisa Michelson, Locality Manager , Oxfordshire County Council

https://www.bicestervision.co.uk/testimonials/county-council-key-partner-delivering-infrastructure-housing-employment-growth-bicester/

Bicester Town Council has been part of Bicester Vision since its inception

"Bicester Town Council has been part of Bicester Vision since its inception and are pleased to be able to work alongside the business community and all tiers of local government to make Bicester the ‘go to’ place for business opportunity."

Sue Mackrell, Bicester Town Council

2016-12-07T09:44:43+00:00

https://www.bicestervision.co.uk/testimonials/bicester-town-council-part-bicester-vision-since-inception/

Through our work with Bicester Vision we are able identify the development needs of the town

“Ziran Land and its predecessor Stockdale Land has found that working closely with the business community of Bicester has enabled us to successfully develop Pioneer Square Shopping Centre and now to develop Franklin House, which was completed in 2016. The growth of Bicester enables us, through our work with Bicester Vision, to identify the business, retail and leisure development needs of the town and to work closely with the business community to provide these.”

John Liggins, Managing Director, Ziran Land Limited

2016-12-07T09:47:00+00:00

https://www.bicestervision.co.uk/testimonials/work-bicester-vision-able-identify-development-needs-town/

Bicester Vision is an effective way for interested parties to collaborate

"Bicester Vision is an effective way for interested parties to collaborate. We have recently worked with Lisa Rawlings at Banbury and Bicester College as being an industry partner for Bicester Technology studio school and supporting them on the curriculum, equipment specification, and funding. As well as facilitating other 3rd Party Logistics firms like DHL to be involved, Solar panel contact via the Low Carbon Hub to support on the building design for sustainable construction."

Steve Thornton, Director UK Logistics & Supply Chain, BRITA UK

2016-12-07T09:49:31+00:00

"Bicester Vision is an effective way for interested parties to collaborate. We have recently worked with Lisa Rawlings at Banbury and Bicester College as being an industry partner for Bicester Technology studio school and supporting them on the curriculum, equipment specification, and funding. As well as facilitating other 3rd Party Logistics firms like DHL to be involved, Solar panel contact via the Low Carbon Hub to support on the building design for sustainable construction."Steve Thornton, Director UK Logistics & Supply Chain, BRITA UK

https://www.bicestervision.co.uk/testimonials/bicester-vision-effective-way-interested-parties-collaborate/