THE next part of a vast estate that will eventually see just over 1,000 houses in a village near Bicester has got the go-ahead.

Another 276 homes were approved on Thursday for Heyford Park, the former Upper Heyford US Air Force base.

Hundreds of homes have already been built there and it is also home to the Heyford Park Free School.

Barry Wood, Cherwell District Council leader, said he had been told parents were being attracted from across the district to the new estate by the school.

Oxfordshire County Council and Sport England both objected but planning officers said they were confident problems could be ironed out.

The county council said ‘good progress had been made’ over transport links from Middleton Stoney and near junction 10 of the M40. While Sport England said it was opposed to the project because the homes would result in fewer playing fields without providing new outdoor provision.

A total of 19 letters objecting to the proposal were received by the district council – citing the potential impact of increased traffic on rural roads, both during house building and after it.

David Hughes, the chairman of Cherwell Council’s planning committee, said the development could turn into Cherwell’s own Bournville, a model village built by Cadbury family in south Birmingham.

He said: “It could be a Cadbury village of the future. There are so many byways and footpaths [in the estate]. Potentially, it could be fantastic.

“I think all of the things go to show how the detail is important and how it is enhanced.”

The 12-hectare site which has been signed off is part of the former Upper Heyford base and much of it lies off Camp Road, but part has a side frontage to Kirtlington Road.

Much of the current site was occupied by single storey, non-residential buildings. Most of those have been demolished already.

They were mostly prefabricated buildings and included dormitories, a school and a gym. A landmark water tower was also included on the site.

There were 12 Cherwell councillors in favour. Another two abstained at the meeting at Bodicote House.

Of the new homes, 30 per cent will be affordable, or 89 in total.

That means 207 will be available on the open market. They will include 27 two-bedroom homes, 75 three-bedroom homes, a further 83 four-bedroom homes and 22 five-bedroom houses.

Dozens of new homes were approved last October as part of the new village project.

It is anticipated that road links needed near the estate will be paid for by money in the £215m Oxfordshire Housing and Growth Deal.

That was signed by all Oxfordshire councils, the then housing minister Dominic Raab and Oxfordshire's Local Enterprise Partnership in March. The deal struck was the first of its kind in the country.