Chalgrove Airfield, South Oxfordshire

The vision and masterplan for Chalgrove centres on the creation of a 21st Century market town. A place with the range of homes, jobs, services and community facilities expected of a market town, the community spirit of a village and that meets the health and housing challenges of the 21st Century.

The airfield at Chalgrove was declared surplus to requirements by the Ministry of Defence in 2016 and was transferred to the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) for disposal. In January 2017 NEW masterplanning facilitated a 5-day Enquiry-by-Design event engaging the local community and stakeholders in the preparation of mixed-use redevelopment proposals for the site.

The airfield was subsequently identified as a Strategic Site Allocation in the emerging South Oxfordshire District Council Local Plan to address high housing demand and deliver critically-needed affordable homes in the area, whilst retaining the other half of the airfield for the site’s existing business, Martin-Baker.

Following the Enquiry-by-Design event NEW masterplanning were retained by Homes England (successor to the HCA) to lead on the preparation of a masterplan for an outline planning application. This included facilitating public consultation events and the preparation of a Design & Access Statement, Design Guide and Pattern Book study.

The proposals include:

  • 3,000 new homes as part of a thriving mixed development, from one bed apartments for young people to family homes. 40% of new homes will be affordable, increasing the opportunity for home ownership in South Oxfordshire.
  • Employment space for businesses to invest and grow.
  • A new runway to ensure that Martin Baker Aircraft Limited can remain in operation at the airfield and would have the space to expand to develop and grow their operations in Oxfordshire.
  • New community, education and health facilities, including two new primary schools and a secondary school with sixth form centre.
  • A south facing market square at the heart of the development, modelled on South Oxfordshire’s historic market towns, providing space for local markets, community events and an attractive area for outside eating and drinking.
  • Integrated green spaces for leisure and recreation that builds a strong sense of community and connects to the wider countryside.
  • Sustainable drainage infrastructure to prevent flooding, increase biodiversity and create an attractive physical environment.
  • On-site infrastructure to address the impact of development in neighbouring villages.
  • Realignment of the B480 through the development to create an integrated town and manage the transport impact of the scheme.

Illustrative framework masterplan presented at the July 2018 public exhibition

Illustrative layout plan for the mixed-use town centre

Main Street proposals for the redirected B480 passing through the heart of the development

Section arrangements for the Main Street demonstrating its multi-functional design

A new linear park will replace the B480 bypass that currently divides the airfield from Chalgrove village