Green light for UK’s first national eco town scheme

Green light for UK’s first national eco town scheme
Phase one of the NW Bicester eco development has become the first eco town scheme in the country to receive the green light for work to start, with construction due to begin later this year.

Constructed in four stages over the next five years, this ground-breaking phase of development will integrate cutting-edge eco technology, economic opportunities and community engagement to provide the flagship homes of tomorrow for Bicester.

Cherwell District Council’s Planning Committee approved A2Dominion and P3Eco’s application last August, subject to a legal agreement ensuring community infrastructure for the benefit of existing and future residents of the town.

This process is now complete, after close collaboration with Oxfordshire County Council and Bicester Town Council, giving the development full planning approval to proceed.

Conditions of the agreement meet with Eco Bicester’s aspirations for a more sustainable community as a whole.

The first Exemplar phase, set within 50 acres of which 40 per cent will be green space, will contain 393 highly-efficient homes, constructed by A2Dominion, for existing and new residents of Bicester.

The houses are designed to be truly zero-carbon and deliver exceptional quality of life for residents.

Built to an inspiring level of sustainability (Code Level 5), the development will include significant levels of insulation, high thermal performance and rainwater harvesting.

Exemplar will encompass the UK’s largest residential solar array to generate electricity and benefit from a highly-efficient district heating system, all of which will lead to much lower household bills for residents.

Cherwell District and Oxfordshire County Councils are set to spend a portion of the pump-prime funding received from the Government, in addition to a contribution from P3Eco, to provide a school and an Eco Business Centre.

The aim is to ensure no additional pressure is placed on existing schools and that small businesses have the facilities available to them from which to take root.

These elements combine to benefit the whole town and the money being spent up-front will be recouped from developers as building progresses.

The Exemplar will encompass well-designed cycle and pedestrian routes throughout, include a bus service with real time information and have charging points for electric vehicles.

The school, retail and business elements are designed to be central to the development creating a village feel.

Community space will incorporate communal barbecue areas, herb boxes, allotments and seating and will be designed to encourage children to play in the street safely.

As part of the commitment, A2Dominion will be facilitating the development of a community-led governance structure to offer both existing and new residents and businesses the opportunity to come together to make decisions about the issues that affect their immediate area.

Meanwhile the Local Business Portal has already seen a high level of interest from local businesses and suppliers accessing information on the opportunities to get involved.

Together, the council and A2Domininion are committed to achieving 20 per cent local labour on site and A2Dominion is already working with Bicester Job Club and Jobcentre Plus to accomplish this. A minimum of ten apprenticeships will also be made available over the next five years.

Quotes:

Councillor Michael Gibbard, Cherwell’s lead member for planning, said: “We have made sure that the first Exemplar phase of development at NW Bicester will set the scene for what follows.

“We are proud that the scheme will include many unique features to reduce the impact of the new development on the environment. We have put our money where our mouth is to guarantee that infrastructure is delivered along with housing rather than afterwards.”

Councillor Hilary Hibbert-Biles, Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for Growth and Infrastructure, said: “The signing of this agreement is of significance for Bicester.

“This project is a clear sign of how the local authorities can work together for the benefit of the town.

“It will be important that these working relationships continue as this project moves towards being delivered”

Richard Mould, chairman of planning at Bicester Town Council, said: “We welcome the granting of planning permission for the Exemplar phase of the NW Bicester development.

“We look forward to work starting on-site in the coming months and the beginning of the new exciting developments in sustainable living.”

Ian Inshaw, chairman of P3Eco Bicester, said: “P3Eco Bicester was established to provide a consortium to deliver the NW Bicester eco town.

“As the facilitators of the project, P3Eco Bicester brought to the consortium master planner Sir Terry Farrell, A2Dominion as the developer and provider of affordable homes, Barton Wilmore as planning consultants and Hyder as the consultant engineer to deliver this ground-breaking project.

“P3Eco Bicester are delighted that Cherwell District Council have now granted planning permission to build the exemplar of 393 houses which will be the first step to delivering the whole project.

“As the developers our partners A2Dominion will now take forward the Exemplar phase. For us at P3 this is the end of the beginning to a project which we remain passionate about and cannot wait to get on with facilitating the rest of it.”

Steve Hornblow, NW Bicester project director for A2Dominion, said: “The A2Dominion Group and our partner P3Eco are very proud to be working with Cherwell District Council to deliver the UK’s first eco town at North West Bicester.

“This is an ambitious project which will create a truly unique development. NW Bicester approaches sustainable living realistically, providing people with the tools to benefit from a real community environment, reduced home running costs and the latest green technologies.

“As we prepare to begin work on the first phase later this year, and with a highly experienced consultant team in place, A2Dominion is looking forward to also advancing the masterplan for the wider site, with much already being done in tandem with the development of Exemplar.”

Nicole Lazarus, of sustainability advisors BioRegional, said: “The Exemplar at NW Bicester is shaping up to be one of the greenest schemes ever built in the UK.

“We hope these beautiful new homes will show the way to a sustainable future. BioRegional are very proud to helping that to happen.”

Sally Coble, area environment planning and engagement manager, from the Environment Agency said: “We’re delighted the partnership working between the district and county council, the developers and the Environment Agency has resulted in such a ground-breaking scheme.

“But this is just the beginning. Scheme’s such as this show that sustainable development is possible and should be replicated across the country.”

The councils have secured the following:
•    30 per cent affordable housing with a local lettings plan giving Bicester residents priority
•    A site for and funding towards the construction of a new primary school
•    Open space areas, natural play areas, allotments and areas for biodiversity
•    Provision for the building of a local centre, community hall, children’s nursery
•    Land for an eco-business centre providing accommodation for start-up businesses
•    Provision for local employment and apprenticeships
•    Buildings built to Code 5 of the Code for Sustainable Homes, with all homes including photovoltaic panels and achieving zero carbon
•    Provision for bus service, the first semi-rural car club in the UK and electric vehicles
•    Sustainable drainage scheme and rainwater harvesting
•    Provision for a community-led governance structure and community development
•    Ability to monitor the development so we can learn from the sustainable construction and from residents’ experiences of living in the development.

Conditions also cover several unusual elements. These include:
•    Bird and bat boxes
•    Planting of fruit trees for every home
•    Cycle and rubbish storage for every home
•    Real time information system for each house and high-speed broadband
•    House designs that have considered day-lighting and overheating to address future climate impacts
•    Zero carbon, local eco pub
•    Preservation of hedges that need to be moved to allow the development to take place.

For further information please contact:
Craig Forsyth
Tel: 01295 221639
Email: craig.forsyth@cherwell-dc.gov.uk

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.”

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"

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
“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

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
“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

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

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

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
"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

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
“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...”

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