Proctor & Matthews Architects is delighted to announce that Dorchester Living has submitted an outline planning application for the next phase of Heyford Park – marking a major step in the transformation of the former RAF Upper Heyford airbase into one of Oxfordshire’s most ambitious new communities.
The vision for Heyford Park is to create a self-sufficient, sustainable settlement featuring up to 9,000 homes, including 2,700 affordable units, 900 assisted living accommodations, and 180 homes for key workers. This robust community will be supported by new schools, community facilities, employment spaces, and expansive green infrastructure.
Currently, Heyford Park is a thriving place to live and work. Over 1,200 homes have been delivered to date, together with Heyford Park School for children aged three to-16, a supermarket, pharmacy, hotel, barbers, restaurant and a growing commercial cluster. Building on this momentum, the pioneering masterplan will expand the community offering, delivering a new health hub, primary schools, a secondary school, dedicated sports facilities and employment space to support over 5,000 new jobs - many in CleanTech, low-carbon and creative sectors, providing sustainable jobs for the future.
Sustainability is at the heart of the masterplan. The proposals will achieve a minimum 10% biodiversity net gain, with approximately 60% of the site dedicated to green infrastructure – connecting nature corridors, public parkland, walking trails and an area set aside as a Local Wildlife Site.
The expansive Runway Park will serve as a multi-functional destination, offering a wide range of leisure opportunities. Framed by new woodlands and extensive landscaping, the park will be enriched by the planting of 65,000 trees, creating a vibrant and sustainable environment for generations to enjoy.
The long-term ambition is for Heyford Park to become the UK’s first energy surplus town, generating more energy than it consumes through a combination of solar and wind power generation, energy-efficient design and low-carbon transport.
Stephen Proctor, co-founder of Proctor & Matthews Architects said: “Heyford Park presents a rare opportunity to rethink how large-scale development can respond to the social, environmental and economic challenges of our time. Our masterplan is built around a series of distinct neighbourhoods, each shaped by the site’s unique history and landscape. These new places will be connected by green corridors, walkable streets and shared public spaces – creating a sense of identity, belonging and long-term sustainability from the outset. Central to the masterplan design is the innovative reuse and integration of existing airfield infrastructure and historic structures. This approach will create a distinct urban landscape that reflects the site’s rich heritage.”
Paul Silver, CEO of Dorchester Living, said: “This is a pivotal moment in the evolution of Heyford Park. The masterplan we’ve submitted is the result of years of careful thinking and extensive collaboration with a variety of different groups including Heyford Park Parish, Great Western Rail, Heyford Park Schools and the wider local community. This is underpinned by our genuine belief that growth can be delivered in a way that’s community-led and environmentally conscious.
