Harrow Estates, the strategic land and planning arm of Barratt Redrow, has completed the acquisition of a landmark 300-acre site in Bicester, paving the way for one of Oxfordshire’s most significant new housing developments.
The project will bring together all three of the Group’s national housebuilding brands—Redrow Homes, Barratt Homes, and David Wilson Homes—on a single site. Once complete, it will deliver up to 1,500 energy-efficient homes, with at least 30 per cent designated as affordable housing.
Among these will be 70 dwellings for an Extra Care facility, designed to support older residents and people with additional needs.
Central to the development is a 21-hectare Nature Conservation Area, forming the first phase of work. The space will protect and enhance biodiversity while connecting with existing habitats.
Plans include creating new ponds, relocating Great Crested Newts into safe environments, realigning Cutters Brook, and planting a community orchard. The corridor surrounding Cutters Brook will serve as a focal point for green infrastructure and integrate fully with the wider Conservation Area.
Designed with a landscape-first approach, the neighbourhood aims to achieve a Biodiversity Net Gain well above statutory requirements. Open spaces, wildlife corridors, walking and cycling routes will be woven throughout residential areas.
A large central play destination and smaller neighbourhood play areas will also be designed with natural elements, ensuring green infrastructure benefits both people and wildlife.
Planning permission for the site was granted in May 2022, followed by approval of a Site-Wide Design Code in 2024. This code establishes an ambitious design vision: phases of the development will reflect Redrow’s Heritage Arts & Crafts range, while others will showcase distinct Barratt and David Wilson Homes architecture.
The intention is to create a varied and balanced community, offering homes for first-time buyers, families, and older residents alike.
Alongside housing, the plans include a new primary school, a Local Centre with retail and community services, and designated land for commercial use.
Steve Caldwell, Development Director at Harrow Estates, said: “The purchase of this site represents a landmark moment… Early delivery of green infrastructure, including a significant Nature Conservation Area and enhancement of the Cutters Brook corridor, is central to our vision and reflects a commitment to biodiversity and quality placemaking.”
Steve Caldwell, Development Director at Harrow Estates, said:
“The purchase of this site represents a landmark moment for Harrow Estates and the wider Barratt Redrow Group. The site showcases how we can unlock complex land to create characterful, sustainable neighbourhoods that are shaped around nature from the outset.
“Early delivery of green infrastructure, including a significant Nature Conservation Area and enhancement of the Cutters Brook corridor, is central to our vision and reflects a commitment to biodiversity and quality placemaking. Our longstanding relationship with the landowners and a clear, deliverable vision means we’re confident this development will be a flagship for the Group.”
Julian Larkin, Group Land Director at Barratt Redrow, said:
“Securing this site is a major step forward in our commitment to delivering high-quality homes within a sustainable, nature-led environment. We’re focused on creating a thriving community that integrates green infrastructure and biodiversity from the outset, ensuring a positive and lasting impact for Bicester and its residents.”
Works on the Nature Conservation Area and infrastructure are due to begin in 2027, with the first homes to follow.
