Sustainability
A CONSIDERED APPROACH
From our foundation in 2013, we have chosen a responsible road towards sustainable development and our masterplan aims to work with and enhance our natural surroundings.
Connected green infrastructure
Bicester Motion is working with neighbouring sites across Cherwell to create a connected network of green infrastructure that strengthens wildlife corridors and improves access to nature for local communities. Supported by professional ecologists, our approach ensures biodiversity improvements are both achievable and capable of being managed successfully over the long term.
Our masterplan prioritises an on-site first approach, focusing on enhancing habitats within the estate boundary wherever possible. Central to this is the restoration and active management of the former Stratton Audley Quarry Local Wildlife Site (LWS), transforming it into a resilient ecological landscape that supports habitat creation, species recovery and climate adaptation.
Without active management, the former quarry is at risk of losing ecological value through natural scrub succession. By intervening proactively, we can improve habitat quality across the estate while also creating a stronger landscape buffer between the development and the surrounding countryside.
Alongside on-site improvements, we are committing to the creation of a dedicated off-site ecology estate to deliver long-term biodiversity gains beyond the masterplan boundary. Together, these initiatives will establish a connected network of habitats and ecological corridors that improve landscape connectivity, support nature recovery at scale and contribute to the wider environmental ambitions of the Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor.
Working collaboratively with local developers and ecological specialists, Bicester Motion aims to become a leading example of coordinated habitat creation and long-term environmental stewardship. By retaining responsibility for the delivery and ongoing management of these initiatives, we can ensure the strongest and most lasting ecological outcomes.
Over time, the ecology and landscape strategy will also create opportunities for meaningful engagement with local communities, schools and educational groups, helping to encourage environmental awareness, learning and participation in nature recovery initiatives.
Sustainability, heritage and ecology
We are held as an exemplar of construction preservation, taking the view of preservation through use.
We have taken a ‘retro fit’ approach to the estate, repurposing buildings rather than redevelopment to help reduce embodied carbon, whilst also celebrating and creatively re-using our architectural heritage. The carbon savings which have been made from reusing, rather than demolishing, existing buildings are substantial.
We actively maintain 11 x areas of Scheduled Ancient Monuments which includes a preservation programme for the defensive structures of the former RAF Bicester.
We have a planned preventative maintenance strategy to ensure that we repair our site on an ongoing basis. This keeps the buildings in use and maintains our heritage assets and the embodied carbon within it for re-use.
We invest £40,000 per annum in tree management, looking after over 500 trees planted by the RAF and the growth of 500 new saplings to maintain our beautiful avenues and rich tree canopy. This is known as Project Juniper.
The estate has four active bee hives, producing honey which is given to resident businesses and sold for charitable contributions to one of our partner charities, StarterMotor, as well as supporting biodiversity.
Our aim is to achieve a 10% Biodiversity net gain
We will continue to develop our current ecology and biodiversity programmes to better enhance our environment through conscientious development.
Green infrastructure
We’re well on our way to becoming a climate-resilient estate, already powered by renewable energy and exploring new technologies like solar arrays.
We send site waste to Energy from Waste, a sustainable method of energy production lowering our reliance on fossil fuels.
We actively manage climate resilience by considering drainage, landscape and building design and ensuring any construction works are sensitive to the environment and the historic nature of our site.
We are developing a strategy to create renewable energy on site, at scale, to build resilience into the power network and to supply the business community.
We use local businesses and suppliers where possible for consultancy services and for maintenance. Reducing distances travelled and minimising emissions, whilst championing regional expertise.
The site is situated away from any zone of high flood risk from rivers or from surface flooding.
Future
