Housing association A2Dominion and developer P3Eco have received planning permission for the UK’s first eco town scheme in Bicester, Oxfordshire. The development will initially involve building 393 level five homes built according to the code for sustainable homes on a 50 acre site.
A total of 40% of the land will be left open for green space. The development will boast the UK’s largest residential solar array to generate electricity, a district heating system and charging points for electric vehicles. Furthermore, the development, which will have 30% of its homes set aside for affordable housing, will also include building a school and an eco business centre. Work on site is due to commence later this year.
Steve Hornblow, project director for A2Dominion, stated: “As we prepare to begin work on the first exemplar 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.”
The North West Bicester development is the first of four sites for planned eco towns in the UK which include St Austell and Clay Country eco-communities in Cornwall, Rackheath eco-community in Norfolk and Whitehill Bordon eco-town in East Hampshire.
Sally Coble, area environment planning and engagement manager at the Environment Agency believe that this development will act as a catalyst for many more to follow and believes sustainable development like this one should be replicated across the country.