The pretty little UK village set to expand into incredible town with 3,400 houses

Chalgrove in Oxfordshire could grow from a small village of about 1,200 homes into a big 3,400-home new town. Residents will soon get a chance to view the final plans for the controversial development at a public exhibition on 22 October. The project is being led by Homes England, which plans to submit a full planning application to South Oxfordshire District Council by the end of the year.

Under the new plan, part of the former World War II airfield would be retained for Martin-Baker, a defence manufacturer that tests military ejector seats for the RAF and allied forces. Homes England proposes to demolish the site's three existing runways and construct a single, realigned runway to allow both the housing development and continued testing operations.

The wider plans also include new schools, community facilities, employment space, upgraded infrastructure, and improved public transport links.

Charlotte O'Mahony, Director of Projects (South), from Homes England said: "Chalgrove Airfield provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity to address acute housing needs in South Oxfordshire within a new community that integrates the principles of a modern Oxfordshire 'market town'.

"The redevelopment will also contribute employment opportunities, schools and supporting infrastructure.

"We have carried out extensive engagement with the community and statutory consultees since we acquired the site in 2016, all of which has helped inform the updated plans that will be on display at the exhibition ahead of the submission of the planning applications."

However, the proposal has sparked controversy. Many local residents oppose it, citing concerns over infrastructure, environmental impact, and safety.

Henley and Thame MP Freddie van Mierlo has written to the Secretary of State for Defence and the Minister for the Armed Forces, urging them to halt the development. While the land is owned by Homes England, part of the site is leased to Martin-Baker the defence firm that manufactures aircraft ejector seats under an agreement that runs until 2063.

He wrote: "I fully recognise the need for new homes, but this is simply the wrong place. Chalgrove Airfield is a nationally significant site, essential to the UK's defence capability and the safety of service personnel.

"Allowing this development to go ahead would be a serious and irreversible mistake.

"I am urging the Defence Secretary to act now to safeguard this strategically critical site."

Once known as Chalgrove Common, the site was transformed during the Second World War. Completed in 1943, it became USAAF Station 465, serving as a base for American photo-reconnaissance missions ahead of the D-Day invasion. It later hosted C-47 transport aircraft and Pathfinder troops involved in key operations like Market Garden and the Battle of the Bulge. After the war, the site briefly returned to RAF use before being leased to Martin-Baker in 1946 for testing military ejector seats, a role it still plays today.