Plans approved for Bicester Heritage expansion

By Lizzie Pope
News
 | 19 Dec 2018
Classic & Sports Car – Plans approved for Bicester Heritage expansion

The UK’s classic car hub Bicester Heritage has gained approval for its 70,000sq ft expansion.

The site at the former RAF Bicester in in Oxfordshire currently accommodates 40 specialists and is at capacity, so the additional buildings will cater for demand for more showroom and office space, and for additional workshop and apprenticeship facilities.

Eight new commercial units will form the New Technical Site and have been designed to integrate neatly with and complement the aesthetic of the site’s existing structures, most of which were constructed in the 1920s.

Classic & Sports Car – Plans approved for Bicester Heritage expansion

This follows the news that a 344-bedroom hotel, conference and leisure centre is also coming to Bicester Heritage’s site.

It’s estimated this expansion will bring in 250,000 visitors a year, as well as create 180 full-time jobs, in addition to the extra employment created by the influx of specialists who’ll doubtless be attracted by the new workspaces.

“We have been at capacity for some time and are very much looking forward to being able to welcome businesses wishing to benefit from the ‘Bicester Heritage effect’, providing business synergies as well as a modern-day quality experience that enthusiasts and their families demand,” said Dan Geoghegan, Managing Director of Bicester Heritage.

“With the impressive growth of a number of existing specialists here, we expect the units to cater for their expansion, whilst also being able to welcome a new cadre of class-leading companies. An additional 10 businesses are expected once works are completed.”

Classic & Sports Car – Plans approved for Bicester Heritage expansion

“The approval of these new buildings is great news for opportunity and growth in our district,” added Cllr Colin Clarke, lead member for Cherwell District Council Planning, which approved the plans.

“Knowledge-driven and led by technology, the businesses based at Bicester Heritage do a great job attracting visitors and providing professional opportunities for local people.

“With this track record in mind, the extension of Bicester Heritage’s technical site onto a disused area of land makes perfect sense. It will mean successful companies already based there can expand without relocating and it supports the wider corridor of motoring and aviation engineering in our district.”

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