Overview

AUGUST 2024 UPDATE

In April 2023, following the Stage 1 consultation held in summer 2022, the project was paused to undertake a thorough review of the scheme including the emerging highways infrastructure works and associated transport measures which had become significant. That review has concluded, resulting in the proposals evolving and the scheme is now actively being promoted. Work is ongoing to prepare updated information to hold a Stage 2 consultation which will be shared on this website once details of the consultation are confirmed.

Oxfordshire Railfreight Limited is proposing a Strategic Rail Freight Interchange (SRFI) on land east of the former Upper Heyford Air Base, south of the Chiltern railway line, and southwest of Junction 10 of the M40 motorway. The emerging proposals respond to the recognised need to create a network of Strategic Rail Freight Interchanges throughout the country. This significant private sector investment will contribute to the Government’s ambition for more freight to be moved by rail rather than by road and help to create a low carbon sustainable transport system. The transfer of freight from road to rail has a significant role to play in a low carbon economy, helping to address climate change. The proposals will also contribute to Oxfordshire’s economic growth and create new employment opportunities.

The emerging vision for the proposals is to provide a high-quality new rail freight interchange which supports a more sustainable economy, and creates an attractive working environment while having environmental responsibility as a guiding principle. If approved the site would be developed by Mountpark, a leading developer with a proven track record in delivering high quality logistics developments across the UK/Ireland and Europe. The emerging proposals include a range of low and zero carbon initiatives as well as significant investment in new ‘green infrastructure’ and tree planting.

Given its strategic importance, the proposals meet the criteria to be considered a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP). As such, the proposals require an application for a Development Consent Order (DCO) which would be submitted for examination by the Planning Inspectorate who will process the application. The Secretary of State for Transport would then consider the Inspector’s recommendation and determine the application. More details about the process are set out on The Process page of this website.

An Environmental Statement ES is being prepared. The chapters are at varying stages of preparation and do not yet represent a full environmental assessment of the scheme. The draft application documents which formed part of the Stage 1 Consultation Proposal (2022) are available via the Documents page of this website.

If you have any questions, please take a look at the Frequently Asked Questions provided on this website. Alternatively, see the Contact page for ways to get in touch now.

To obtain further details about the NSIP process, and to register for updates from the Planning Inspectorate as the scheme and application moves through the various stages of the process, you can find information on the National Infrastructure Planning website here.