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Planning in Bicester

Approved
88%
198 of 215 decided
Decision time
about 11 weeks
on average

Applications within 1 km of the centre of Bicester in the last 24 months, from Cherwell District Council's planning register.

Decided by Cherwell District CouncilCouncil page

Around Bicester

For home projects and trades

About Bicester

Bicester is a market town located in the Cherwell district of Oxfordshire, approximately 11 miles northeast of Oxford. Renowned for the Bicester Village shopping centre, it attracts many visitors and features a historical town centre that is a designated conservation area, boasting a local market along with various independent shops and restaurants. The town is governed by a town council and a mayor, making it an important hub for local planning and development initiatives. The town has a population of approximately 37,002 (2021 estimate). It sits within the Cherwell district.

Bicester covers an area of approximately 8.6 km². The surrounding landscape and character of the area play an important role in how planning applications are assessed by the local authority.

Property prices in Bicester show an average sale price of £393,742, based on 50 recent transactions recorded by HM Land Registry. There are currently no active flood warnings for the Bicester area, indicating a relatively low flood risk at present. This is a positive factor for both existing residents and those considering property purchases or new developments.

In terms of safety, there were no crimes reported in the immediate area during the most recent reporting period (September 2026). This makes Bicester a particularly low-crime area, which is often reflected in its desirability and property values.

For anyone interested in property development or monitoring local planning decisions, Bicester planning applications can be searched by entering a local postcode above. Results include full application details, decision status, and the ability to track applications over time and set planning alerts to help you monitor and review pending planning applications. Further local information can be found on the community website at http://www.bicester.gov.uk/.

Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right 2026. This data is licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

To comment on or object to a planning application near Bicester, open it in the list above: each one links to the council's own page for it and shows any comment deadline.

In the last 24 months, 282 planning applications were submitted near Bicester. Of these, 88% were approved, with an average decision time of 80 days.

The most common types were full planning applications (89), discharge of conditions (42), tree works (30). 2 large-scale developments were submitted during this period.

4 planning appeals were lodged, of which 0 were allowed and 4 were dismissed (0% success rate).

Common questions

How many planning applications have been submitted near Bicester?
In the last 24 months, 282 planning applications were submitted near Bicester. The approval rate is 88%.
How long do planning decisions take near Bicester?
The average planning decision time near Bicester is 80 days. The statutory target is 8 weeks (56 days) for minor applications and 13 weeks for major applications.
What is the planning approval rate near Bicester?
The planning approval rate near Bicester is 88%. The national average across England and Wales is 87%.
What types of planning applications are most common near Bicester?
The most common type of planning application near Bicester is full planning applications, with 89 submissions in the last 24 months.
How can I track planning applications near Bicester?
You can search and track planning applications near Bicester on Planning Signal. Create a free account to save searches, watch specific applications, and receive email alerts when new plans are submitted nearby.