Innovation Quarter 'will help make Bicester Motion a world leader'

Some of the most advanced motoring innovators in the world will sit alongside specialists restoring heritage vehicles at Bicester Motion, following the latest consent at the park.

Cherwell District Council’s planning committee has approved plans for around 23,000 sq m of industrial space to form The Innovation Quarter at the former RAF Bicester – and Bicester Motion has already had international demand.

Almost all the new recently-completed units in the Command Works section of the park, expected to be a globally-unique attraction and a key location on the Oxford to Cambridge Arc, have been let and announcements of new occupiers are expected soon.

Chief executive Dan Geoghegan said: “By the end of the year Bicester Motion will have established a cluster of 50 businesses at its Bicester Heritage division (in the Command Works), each new to Bicester.

“The Innovation Quarter is the next step on the journey to expand the 444-acre business and leisure destination focused on motion and mobility past, present and future.

“The consent for the Innovation Quarter is a very clear signal that Cherwell district supports investment, enterprise and growth and is positioning itself for the post-Covid economic recovery.

“It’s a great place to do business, without a doubt the relationship with the local authority has enabled Bicester Motion to get on delivering whilst others are still talking about it.”

The new units will be mixed-use covering classes B1 (business), B2 (general industrial), and B8 (storage) with ancillary offices, storage, display and sales.

Now strategic planning is underway, aimed at delivering both the Innovation Quarter and the hotel, spa and leisure complex that was consented earlier this year.

Further concepts being developed as part of the Bicester Motion masterplan include the Experience Quarter and Wilderness Quarter. Applications are expected to be made next year.

The entire project of transforming the former aerodrome is likely to take between five and seven years from now and, once complete, it is expected to be a globally-unique attraction and a key location on both the Oxford to Cambridge Arc and Oxfordshire tourism hub.

Property development manager Jonty Ashworth said: “We are delighted to receive outline planning consent for the Innovation Quarter at Bicester Motion and are grateful to Cherwell District Council for their positive support.

“The Innovation Quarter sets out the next chapter for Bicester Motion, spearheading plans to establish a world leading centre of excellence for mobility engineering, past, present and future.”

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