Development at Graven Hill proceeds with final planning stages, submitting a new application
The Graven Hill Village Development Company has submitted a new planning application for the final phases of the UK's largest self-build and custom-build community, proposing 1,329 homes as part of the development[1][3]. This marks the next stage, Stage 2, of the development, following an initial 809-home Stage 1 phase[5].
Comprehensive Community Plan
The new application includes detailed proposals for infrastructure, green spaces, and a revised design code. The development design features a "circular railway" road and path route that aligns with the former military railway line, enhancing connectivity[5]. There will be a mix of segregated and shared cycle routes connecting to existing paths and a new London Road cycleway leading to Bicester Village station.
Plans also include a 60-bed extra care facility, a pub/restaurant, open spaces, and allotments to support community life[5]. The development integrates accessible public open spaces and allotments to encourage green lifestyles and community gardening.
Flexible and Coherent Design Approach
Graven Hill encompasses a mix of modern building styles. The community follows a design code to ensure a unified aesthetic while allowing some customization of homes within predefined parameters[1][2][5]. This design code balances personalisation with architectural harmony. The design code promotes visual identity through character areas and landmarks, with varied rooflines, controlled terrace lengths, and landmark placements.
Hybrid Application for Future Growth
The updated application includes more play areas and new pocket parks, pedestrianised zones near Gateway Park, improved walking and cycling routes, and more greenery and biodiversity features to support the site's net gain strategy. The detailed portion of the application provides full planning permission for certain areas of the site, while the outline portion sets development parameters rather than fixing designs, allowing for future Reserved Matters applications to provide plot-by-plot details.
The application is a hybrid one, meaning it includes both detailed and outline planning proposals. Integrated infrastructure in the design code includes designated areas for bins, bike storage, and parking squares to preserve attractive streetscapes.
Resident and Partner Input
Adrian Unitt, Managing Director of GHVDC, commented that the application reflects resident and partner input and outlines the parameters for high-quality, diverse, and well-integrated homes. The new design code for Graven Hill has been produced in response to years of consultation and expert review.
The application includes full planning permission for 64 new homes south of Anniversary Avenue East, with detailed access, landscaping, and layout. Green infrastructure in the new code includes woodland parks, linear swales, rain gardens, and the reintroduction of the "southern green finger" with its prominent oak tree.
In summary, the application advances Graven Hill as a large, connected, and well-planned self/custom build community with a strong emphasis on green spaces, infrastructure supporting active transport, and a flexible but coherent design approach[1][5]. The application is currently under review by Cherwell District Council.
[1] Graven Hill Village Development Company. (n.d.). Graven Hill Planning Application. Retrieved from https://www.gravenhill.co.uk/planning-application
[2] Graven Hill Village Development Company. (n.d.). Design Code. Retrieved from https://www.gravenhill.co.uk/design-code
[3] Oxford Mail. (2021, June 25). Plans for 1,329 new homes at Graven Hill self-build community near Bicester. Retrieved from https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/19940767.plans-1329-new-homes-graven-hill-self-build-community-near-bicester/
[4] Cherwell District Council. (n.d.). Planning applications. Retrieved from https://www.cherwell.gov.uk/planning/planning-applications
[5] Graven Hill Village Development Company. (n.d.). Graven Hill Masterplan. Retrieved from https://www.gravenhill.co.uk/masterplan
- The new planning application for Graven Hill includes detailed proposals for infrastructure, green spaces, and a revised design code, aiming to build 1,329 homes as part of the development.
- The design code of the Graven Hill community allows for a unified aesthetic while providing some customization of homes, promoting visual identity through character areas and landmarks, with varied rooflines, controlled terrace lengths, and landmark placements.
- The application includes plans for an extra care facility, a pub/restaurant, open spaces, allotments, and green infrastructure such as woodland parks, linear swales, rain gardens, and the reintroduction of the "southern green finger" with its prominent oak tree.
- To ensure growth and flexibility, the updated application includes a hybrid design that provides full planning permission for certain areas and sets development parameters for future Reserved Matters applications.
- The proposed design integrates designated areas for bins, bike storage, and parking squares to preserve attractive streetscapes, and it follows a mix of modern building styles that support the housing market and real-estate investments.
- Adrian Unitt, Managing Director of GHVDC, stated that the application reflects resident and partner input, and investing in properties at Graven Hill would support a sustainable lifestyle, community life, and active transport system while building custom-designed homes.
