THE new owner of historic RAF Bicester will not be announced until March next year despite the buyer being decided within weeks, the MOD has confirmed.

It is understood there are at least four organisations in the running to buy the technical site of the former World War Two air base, off Skimmingdish Lane.

Defence Infrastructure Organisation, the department which oversees the MoD’s land, said the winning bidder would be told early in 2013.

Former motor racing boss Adrian Reynard and local charity Bomber Command Heritage, BCH, are two of the shortlisted bidders, and two are understood to be housing developers.

Last month, Mr Reynard, 61, unveiled his multi-million pound plan for the future of RAF Bicester.

If successful, the businessman says he will use his life savings to create an aviation and motorsport heritage centre on the 348-acre site.

Many of the buildings date back to the 1920s and 1930s, and under his proposal, BCH, Chiltern Classic Aircraft and Bicester Gliding Club would all be involved in the project.

If BCH get the site, it plans to turn the site into a museum and education centre dedicated to Bomber Command. Its proposals also include retaining the gliding club at the centre.