Chalgrove Airfield, situated in Chalgrove, is owned by Homes England, a government agency. The site previously fell under the administration of the Ministry of Defence.
The future of this airfield has become a topic of contention, with South Oxfordshire District Council (SODC) and Vale of White Horse District Council opposing its development. Both councils have recommended discarding any plans to utilize the site for housing or other major projects.
Currently, both councils are governed by the Liberal Democrats, who are working on a new Local Plan to replace the previous one. The earlier Local Plan, implemented in 2020 by the Conservative-led SODC, included the potential development of Chalgrove Airfield as part of several proposed housing schemes extending until 2035. However, the Local Plan was approved under governmental direction, with the threat of intervention if not passed.
The proposal faced significant objections, including concerns about the proximity of planned housing to the airfield’s active runway. These issues were raised by the Civil Aviation Authority as well as local residents. Due to these challenges, Homes England withdrew its planning application in May 2021, just under a year after its submission to SODC.
Chalgrove Airfield is currently home to Martin-Baker, a leading defence exporter specializing in ejector seats for the UK armed forces and allied nations. As a significant player in the defence industry, Martin-Baker’s operations are pivotal to both the local economy and national interests.
The district councils have argued that the proposed 3,000 homes would not be suitable for the site. They emphasize that the airfield project does not align with their broader aspirations, which focus on utilizing ideally located brownfield sites or already established areas that meet Oxford’s housing demands.
In March, Homes England announced it was revising its plans but has yet to provide an update. Councillor Freddie van Mierlo, representing Chalgrove and Watlington in Oxfordshire County Council, has openly supported the removal of Chalgrove Airfield from development consideration. Calling the proposal “tragically damaging,” Mierlo warned against building a town the size of Thame or Henley in a rural area lacking sufficient transport infrastructure. He echoed the concerns of local residents, asserting that the site remains unsuitable for such large-scale development.
Furthermore, the proposed housing project would pose a direct threat to Martin-Baker’s operations, which remain vital to the UK’s defence capabilities. Mierlo has highlighted that the site should not be regarded as an unused brownfield location but rather as an operational airfield of great economic and strategic importance.
A consultation period is scheduled for January and February of the coming year, giving the public an opportunity to share their opinions on the matter.
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