Plans to build 1800 homes as part of a new science district on the edge of Oxford are set to go ahead.

Cherwell District Council has granted outline planning permission to Oxford University Development (OUD), a joint venture between the University of Oxford and Legal & General, for a new village.

Located around Begbroke Science Park, just a few miles north of Oxford, Begbroke Innovation District will provide 1,800 new homes, of which 50 per cent are described as “affordable”.

Alongside the homes, the plans include up to three new schools and a range of community facilities including shops, restaurants and other social infrastructure.

Anna Strongman, chief executive of OUD, said: “We welcome the decision by Cherwell District Council.

“The resolution to grant outline planning approval for Begbroke Innovation District is a major step forward in our ambition to deliver sustainable communities in Oxfordshire that will enable world-leading research and innovation to continue alongside much-needed new homes.

“The approved plans have been shaped through extensive consultation with residents, community representatives, Cherwell District Council and Oxfordshire County Council.

"This collaborative approach will continue as we move forward”. 

The proposed 170-acre science district will build on the 25-year legacy of science and innovation from Oxford University at Begbroke Science Park, which is already home to more than 20 research groups in engineering, materials and life sciences as well as around 30 high-tech companies.

Begbroke Science Park is the only science park in Oxfordshire that is wholly owned and managed by Oxford University.

Up to 155,000 sq m of flexible employment space, alongside the existing estate and 12,500 sq m of recently opened space at the OUD’s two new Begbroke Science Buildings, will allow commercial research tenants and University spinouts to scale up and expand.

The innovation district is expected to create up to 5,000 jobs.

The next step will be to finalise the Section 106 legal agreement to enable the project progress in 2025 when OUD will bring forward detailed proposals in consultation with Cherwell District Council, Oxfordshire County Council and the local community.

The Section 106 agreement will set out the infrastructure obligations needed to support the development.

The plans have been previously criticised by Kidlington South coucnillor Ian Middleton who last year said that a “new university campus” would be imposed “by stealth on the area”, with access to homes not available to “anyone outside of the University of Oxford’s orbit”.

He added: “The villages of Yarnton and Begbroke will eventually be swallowed up by a new university campus, approved and built by stealth with no actual consultation with the local population about that prospect.”

However, Kidlington North county councillor Nigel Simpson said the district was an “exciting opportunity” to make the whole area the “centre of innovation” and he was impressed with OUD’s engagement with the community.