DEVELOPMENT - INTERNAL MEMORANDUM	
	
From:	Steven Newman (Senior Economic Growth Officer)	
	
To:	Matthew Parry	

		

	
Subject:	CONSULTATION - APPLICATION

Application No.:	16/02586/OUT	
Applicant’s Name:	Bloombridge LLP	
Proposal:	Phase 1 of the proposed new business park ("Bicester
Gateway") comprising up to 14,972 sq m (Gross External
Area) of B1 employment based buildings, plus a hotel (up
to 149 bedrooms), with associated infrastructure, car
parking and marketing boards.
	
Location:	OS Parcel 2200 Adjoining Oxford Road North Of Promised
Land Farm Oxford Road Bicester	

I welcome the outline proposal to create ‘Bicester Gateway Business Park’, a key employment site and component of the Adopted Local Plan.

Planning and Economy Overview

The Planning Statement & Statement of Community Involvement appear sound, as does the Sequential Test.  However, I would be happy to provide further views on any element of the submissions. 

The proposal to construct the hotel ahead of the offices is understandable and should facilitate the attraction of key ‘knowledge based’ business investment that is central to the Council’s economic development strategy.  

Hotel & Visitor Market

The hotel market in Bicester has performed well in recent years, leading to the expansion of Bicester Hotel & Spa at Chesterton, the continued town centre operation of the Littlebury Hotel and the entirely new Premier Inn and Travelodge.  Whilst visitors to Bicester Village are important to all hotels, the demand for overnight accommodation also includes executives and tradespeople working locally, people passing through on the strategic road network, and many other leisure visitors from the UK and overseas. 

With considerable further development planned for Bicester, the need and demand for further overnight accommodation is to be expected.  This particular proposal has the potential to differentiate itself from other hotels in and around the town through its scale, prominence and unique location providing a ‘business hub’ to serve the needs of other businesses by being integral to the operations within subsequent phases of the Business Park.

Access

In considering the inter-relationships between the large format sites alongside the A41, it is of paramount importance to carefully manage vehicular access and to integrate pedestrian and cycle ways.  This is not only fundamental to the garden town philosophy and to the creation of a sense of place where people choose to spend time – both indoors and out -  is also of practical importance to the workforce, residents and visitors being able to easily access the site and to move between sites.

Design

The intention to use high quality building materials and design are indicated and I would support this approach, rather than mitigating a poor design through over-planting alongside the A41.  This will be particularly important if the site is to attract globally-renowned business occupiers. 

Support

Our services are available to investors, businesses, the local workforce and visitors to the town and district. The investment support services, for example, are explained at www.cherwell-m40.co.uk.

I hope to see the development of this outline proposal into an outstanding detailed submission that heralds the construction of an integrated ‘Gateway’ that Bicester and the District can be proud of.

I am available to discuss any matter further. 

Steven Newman MRTPI MIED
Senior Economic Growth Officer
14 February 2017