A sports public body has formally objected to plans to develop Bicester Village on the basis it would lead to the loss of land being used as a playing field.

Bicester Village is planning to build a multi-storey carpark, an additional 2,690 square metres of floor space and a new cycle parking on land previously used by Bicester Rugby Football Club.

The club has since temporarily relocated.

But Sport England, a non-departmental government public body, has raised concerns over the proposals.

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Sport England highlighted its own playing fields policy which states opposition to any planning permission being granted which "would lead to the loss or would prejudice the use of a playing field".

This also includes land which has been used as a playing field and remains undeveloped.

Bicester Rugby Union Club is currently playing rugby at Whitelands sports complex on the edge of the town.

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) was consulted as part of Sport England’s official objection.

A RFU spokesman said in the report: “The lost pitches, clubhouse and floodlighting has not been replaced since the loss of Oxford Road.

"To ensure that rugby has its future close within the town the pitches, lights and buildings need to be replaced.

“The RFU would be happy to work with the local authority, Sport England and the developer to agree a suitable financial package to ensure the facilities can be replaced or alternative facilities developed elsewhere within the town and surrounding area to ensure BRFC can continue to develop over coming seasons and beyond.

“The RFU would object [to the application] until such time suitable mitigation can be agreed.”

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But Chiltern Railways has stated that it is in favour of the development.

Zach Bailey, stakeholder manager at Chiltern Railways, wrote in a letter on the public planning portal.

This states: "Chiltern Railways is fully supportive of the proposed development at Bicester Village.

“Bicester Village is a key generator of visitor traffic for Chiltern Railways and economic growth for the region.

“The customer flows generated by Bicester Village have been important in helping Chiltern Railways recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We are currently operating at around 70 per cent of historic customer numbers due to changes in commuting patterns, and we are targeting growth in off peak and weekend travel to help grow this revenue going forward.

“Chiltern Railways and Bicester Village are also both key employers in the region, helping to connect retail opportunities with customer markets in London, Birmingham and across the UK.”

Bicester Village has been contacted for comment.