Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the OxSRFI site?
The Main Site is located south-west from Junction 10 of the M40 motorway, and adjacent to (south of) the Chiltern Railway. It sits to the east of Heyford Park and west of the B430 road.
What is being proposed?
The proposals are for a Strategic Rail Freight Interchange (SRFI). This would include a new rail terminal to the north of the site connected to the Chiltern railway line to allow more freight to be transported by rail. The terminal will allow the transfer of freight from HGVs to trains, and vice versa. (Also see the ‘what is an SRFI?’ question below).
The proposals include distribution warehousing set in a landscaped context which will include significant landscaped earthworks bunding around the site perimeter.
Highways Works are proposed at Junction 10 of the M40, with new road infrastructure in the form of an Ardley Bypass to the west of Ardley which sits to the north of the Main Site, and which would provide the new site access. The works also include a Relief Road around the north-east quadrant of Middleton Stoney which is located south further along the B430.
The full package of highways works is shown on the Highways Components Plan on the Proposal Page of this website which also contains the updated Illustrative Masterplan.
Why here?
There are currently no SRFIs along the M40 corridor, and none which serve Oxfordshire. An Oxfordshire SRFI would be capable of expanding the existing network of SRFIs, meet the needs of existing and future businesses in Oxfordshire, and be capable of helping to meet the needs of London and the Midlands.
The National Policy Statement for National Networks recognises that the locations where SRFIs will be appropriate across the Country will be limited. This is largely because SRFIs are required to have good access to both the strategic rail and road networks, as well as having access to the markets they will serve. In part due to these and other functional requirements, including the minimum size of SRFIs (60 hectares/148.2 acres) and a typical need for 24hr operations, the government recognises that SRFIs may need to be located in the countryside as there are few sites within urban areas which meet these key criteria.
The site is ideally located adjacent to the M40 motorway and the south of the Chiltern Railway, part of the strategic rail freight network.
Our plans look to meet the needs of the logistics industry in serving manufacturers, distributors and retailers by capitalising on the site’s locational strengths and connectivity to the railway and motorway networks.
What is an SRFI?
A Strategic Rail Freight Interchange (SRFI) is a large multi-purpose freight interchange and distribution centre linked to both the rail and trunk road systems. It has rail served warehousing and container handling facilities, and enables freight to be transferred between transport modes (i.e. from lorry to train). An SRFI allows rail to be used to best effect to undertake the long-haul primary trunk journey, with other modes (usually road) providing the secondary, and often final, delivery leg of the journey.
In March 2024 Government published an updated National Networks National Policy Statement (referred to as the NPS). The NPS sets the national vision and policy for the future development of nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs) on the national road and rail networks. It is explicitly intended to provide guidance for promoters of nationally significant infrastructure projects and forms the basis for the examination of NSIP projects and decisions by the Secretary of State.
The NPS makes explicit references to SRFIs and their role in facilitating the movement of freight from road to rail which is seen as central to Government’s vision for transport.
The Government is committed to expanding the SRFI network in response to economic and environmental objectives, helping to achieve its ambition for a low carbon economy.
Due to the strategic importance of the scheme, the application will be a Development Consent Order (DCO) and will be assessed by the Planning Inspector ahead of being determined by the Secretary of State for Transport. (See the Process page of the website for more details.)
What is a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project?
Unlike ‘regular’ planning applications, NSIP proposals are not determined by the local planning authority. Instead, an NSIP requires a Development Consent Order (DCO), whereby the Planning Inspectorate examine the proposals and make a recommendation to the relevant Secretary of State who makes the final decision on the proposals.
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.
What is a DCO? How can I get involved in the process?
A Development Consent Order (DCO) is the means of obtaining planning permission for developments categorised as NSIPs.
A developer intending to construct a NSIP must have their proposals examined by the Planning Inspectorate who will make a report to the Secretary of State for Transport. The Secretary of State will then decide whether to grant or refuse development consent. If consent is granted, the Secretary of State will establish a DCO which allows the developers to construct and operate the project.
More information about the various stages of the national infrastructure planning process can be found on the Planning Inspectorate’s website, here. The Planning Inspectorate’s advice on how members of the public can get involved with the process can be found here.
What is an EIA Scoping Report?
The Scoping Report (and a request for a ‘Scoping Opinion’) was prepared and submitted to the Planning Inspectorate in June 2021. The Report sets out information regarding the proposed development at the time of writing, including information to describe the site and summarise the current site conditions, where known. The Report also sets out the proposed environmental issues and topics which could potentially generate significant environmental effects and describes the approach and methodology for the range of assessments proposed by the Applicant to be included in the EIA.
The Planning Inspectorate sought views and input from a range of statutory consultees and other national and local bodies before reaching a Scoping Opinion, which was issued in July 2021. It, and the Scoping Report can be seen here.
The Scoping Opinion has directly informed the approach taken to the EIA process by the Applicant.
What site investigations are being undertaken?
To properly undertake the EIA process a number of site investigations have been completed (with a small number still ongoing) across the site. This is why there are sometimes people on-site or visiting the site.
The range of on-site surveys and investigations (since 2021/22) include:
• Habitat surveys, and species specific surveys including:
– Badger surveys
– Bat transect surveys
– Breeding bird surveys
– Water vole surveys
– Reptile surveys
– Great crested newts surveys
• Tree survey
• Topographical survey
• Noise and vibration surveys
• Odour survey
• Air quality surveys
• Lighting survey
• Geophysical (archaeological) surveys and archaeological trial trenching
• Ground investigation
• Agricultural land classification
Why and how are you engaging with the local community?
The first, non-statutory community consultation for the proposals was held from the 9th May to the 4th July 2022 and the consultation documents used then are still available to view on this website.
The second, statutory stage of consultation was held from 23rd September 2025 to 4th November 2025, and the consultation documents used are also still available to view on this website.
All comments submitted to both the Stage 1 and Stage 2 consultations will be considered ahead of the plans being finalised. Comments came direct to the Applicant, and will be reported in a Consultation Report which will form part of the final application when submitted to the Planning Inspectorate.
Comments received are not shared with the Local Authority, which is a consultee, but not a decision-making body for NSIP applications.
What happens next?
We are continuing to work closely with a range of consultees and stakeholders as part of the technical processes involved in preparing the application, and to discuss relevant issues arising from the Stage 2 consultation process.
Ongoing work includes the preparation of the Transport Assessment (TA), and the Transport Working Group which are continuing to meet. The ongoing TA work is producing the data needed to allow the final noise and air quality assessments to be prepared. All other draft ES chapters, and the range of other draft documents made available during the Stage 2 consultation process, are being progressed further and finalised.
Who is ‘Oxfordshire Railfreight Limited’? Who would build and own the development if approved?
The proposals are being promoted by Oxfordshire Railfreight Limited, a special purpose vehicle set up by Mountpark Logistics EU Sarl (Mountpark) to promote and develop the proposed development.
If approved, the development will be delivered by Mountpark – a leading developer with a proven track record in delivering high quality logistics developments across the UK/Ireland and Europe.
Mountpark is actively working with GB Railfreight on the approach to and design of the terminal for the OxSRFI. GB Railfreight is the fastest growing rail freight business in the country, and is committed to helping continue to meet government aims to see rail freight “triple by 2050