THE Ministry of Defence and planning chiefs remain locked in conflict over plans to redevelop the Bicester Graven Hill site.

Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), formerly Defence Estates, the MOD’s property arm, is preparing to submit a planning application to build 1,900 homes at Graven Hill sites D and E, and consolidate the military logistics to C-site, off Ploughley Road, Arncott, near Bicester.

Plans will also include a primary school, community facilities, public open space, offices, and light industry units.

The move comes despite a decision by planning authority Cherwell District Council that the land was not needed for housing as the planned 5,000 home eco settlement at North West Bicester will cater for the town’s needs beyond 2026.

It will be the second time the MOD has consulted over proposals to redevelop Graven Hill.

It says it has taken into account people’s views from the September 2010 consultation and developed more detailed plans.

Philippa Charles, DIO estates project manager, said: “MOD Bicester offers a significant opportunity to provide logistics facilities that will meet military needs for years to come, while reducing defence operational costs in the future.

“Before the planning application, we want to give local people the opportunity to see how the plans have developed since the consultation event held last September and make any further comments.”

An MOD spokesman added: “The development of Graven Hill and the eco town are not necessarily mutually exclusive.”

But a report to the council’s strategic delivery board confirmed Cherwell’s position had not changed and it wanted to see the MOD land used for industry, and potentially a new enterprize zone.

In it, Cherwell’s interim chief executive Ian Davies said: “Their (the MOD’s) suggested housing proposals are in direct conflict with the emerging development plan, but my council has always offered strong support for employment development and rationalisation/ continued growth of the military uses on the site.”

Any planning application would go through the usual process.

Three public exhibitions will take place next month and information will be available at Bicester Library, in Old Place Yard, for a fortnight, from Monday, June 13.

The first is at the Courtyard Youth Arts Centre, Launton Road, on Thursday, June 9, from 2-9pm, and on the Friday, from noon to 7.30pm.

On Saturday, June 11, it will move to an empty unit in Crown Walk, between 10am and 4pm.

For more information seegravenhill.info or call Entec UK Ltd on 01926 439 000.