Stage 1 Public Consultation Launched
Dalton Barracks Garden Village
New Item Dated: 25th November 2024
The public will be asked to provide their ideas and feedback on the proposals for an exciting new residential-led Garden Village on the Dalton Barracks site, at a series of events starting this month. This is the first of a planned four stage public consultation and engagement programme.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) will host the first of eight public consultation events at the end of November to provide the local community with an opportunity to hear about the vision and design principles for the redevelopment of the Dalton Barracks site.
The drop-in events, being held by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), are the first in a comprehensive four stage public consultation programme on the Dalton Barracks proposals and will provide members of the public and stakeholders with the opportunity to meet members of the project team, find out more about the proposals, and how they can be involved to help shape the plans prior to the preparation of a site wide masterplan to support an initial outline planning application.
Dalton Barracks (main site) will cease military outputs, be vacated and released for redevelopment in 2031, whilst the former airfield is already no longer required for military purposes and can be developed in advance of the main site’s closure.
This long-term, phased project aims to create a new community, aligning with local plan policies to deliver a substantial residential-led development.
Robert Smith, Deputy Head of Estates for the Defence Infrastructure Organisation said:
‘Active public consultation plays a critical role in us realising the masterplan vision, established through an extensive design process led by the community. We are committed to ensuring the redevelopment of Dalton barracks delivers a positive contribution to the area, securing long term social benefits through embracing all the opportunities that this site has to offer.’
Dalton Barracks is being disposed of as part of the MOD’s Defence Estate Optimisation (DEO) Portfolio which is investing £5.1Bn in more modern and sustainable infrastructure across the Defence Estate. As new military assets come into use, the portfolio will dispose of those sites that become surplus to military requirements.
These consultation events are focused on gathering feedback on the vision and design principles for the site, as well as welcoming ideas and feedback on how it best fits within, and supports, the surrounding context.
The redevelopment of Dalton Barracks would provide up to 5,250 new, high-quality homes, including affordable housing, new local services including primary schools and a site for a secondary school, leisure facilities, community facilities and employment opportunities.
Proposals also include extended and enhanced bus services to link the site to key facilities and helping local people to reduce their reliance on cars, as well as a comprehensive network of cycle paths.
The events will also showcase the developments positive and lasting contribution to the local environment and wherever possible, the preservation of the site’ s unique historical features and buildings.
Phase 1 of the Dalton Barracks masterplan, which would deliver the first 2,750 new homes, has been identified for inclusion in the Vale of White Horse District Council and South Oxfordshire District Council Joint Local Plan 2041.
The feedback gathered through this consultation will help progress the Defence Infrastructure Organisation’s (DIO) preparation of a comprehensive site wide masterplan and develop an outline planning application for Phase 1. It is anticipated this initial outline planning application will be ready for submission during 2026.
Councillor Robert Clegg, District Councillor for Marcham Ward at the Vale of White Horse District Council said:
“The redevelopment team have so far given me the strong impression that they are keen to listen. I encourage local residents to respond to this consultation and so help shape this new community.”
The first events will be held at Sunningwell Village Hall on Wednesday 27th November, with the rest taking place throughout the following week. All dates and locations are as follow:
Wednesday 27th November, 10am-1pm
Sunningwell Village Hall, Sunningwell, Abingdon, OX13 6RD
Wednesday 27th November, 5pm-8pm
Edward Brooks Barracks, Cholswell Road, Shippon, Abingdon, OX13 6HW
Thursday 28th November, 9am-12pm
The Northcourt Centre, Northcourt Road, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 1NS
Thursday 28th November, 3pm-6pm
Marcham Centre, Barrow Close, Marcham, OX13 6TY
Thursday 5th December, 9am-12pm
The Northcourt Centre, Northcourt Road, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 1NS
Thursday 5th December, 5pm-8pm
Roysse Room, The Guildhall, Roysse Court, Bridge Street, Abingdon, OX14 3HU
Friday 6th December, 9am-12pm
Wootton and Dry Sandford Community Centre, Lamborough Hill, Wootton, Abingdon, OX13 6DA
Friday 6th December, 5pm-8pm
Marcham Centre, Barrow Close, Marcham, OX13 6TY
For those unable to attend the consultation events, full details about the proposals are also available to view on the project website – What’s Happening/Stage 1 Consultation section. The website includes an interactive map in the Have you Say section where residents can comment on each part of the proposal, and a questionnaire where they can submit their feedback. There is also the opportunity to sign up to a mailing list to stay updated on the development of the masterplan and future events.