More than 300 people living in former military housing on Upper Heyford airbase are to be given the pick of the properties if they want to stay put.

Sovereign Housing Group – recently selected to deliver and manage 350 affordable homes as part of ambitious redevelopment plans – said a local lettings plan would ensure those living on the base, or with strong connections, would be given first refusal of homes for rent and part-buy part-rent.

The 1400-acre airbase – once home to the US fleet of F111 Cold War bombers – has been closed since 1994, but was bought last year from the Ministry of Defence by an alliance of Taylor Wimpey and Persimmon Homes to develop a new community of 1000 homes.

Abingdon-based The Vale Housing Association – part of Sovereign Housing Group – will agree the local lettings plan with Cherwell District Council in the near future, but promised that the new homes would be a massive improvement on the current accommodation.

The Vale Director of Housing Services Bill Henderson said: “We’ll be putting a lot of effort into creating a great new community at Upper Heyford, and are looking forward to working with residents, the district council, and our developer partner.

“With the new school, shops, play areas and the museum, we expect this development to become very popular. Our job’s to make sure that local people get the pick of the properties.”

Nearly all the 300 airbase homes – largely built in the 1950s – will be demolished, and residents were notified two months ago.

Published 12 December 2007
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