Politics & Council · Oxford
Plans unveiled for new £6 million recycling centre in Bicester
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
Oxfordshire County Council has announced proposals for a modern household waste recycling centre in Bicester to replace the ageing Ardley facility by 2030.
Oxfordshire County Council has unveiled ambitious plans to construct a new household waste recycling centre in Bicester, aimed at replacing the long-serving facility at Ardley. The project, which comes with an estimated price tag of £6 million, is intended to bring waste disposal infrastructure up to modern standards.
The current site at Ardley, which has been in operation for over 40 years, is increasingly seen as inadequate for current requirements. Councillor Laura Gordon, the council's Cabinet Member for Environment and Economy, highlighted that the facility no longer meets the expectations of a modern recycling centre. The proposed site would be located next to the Bicester Park and Ride, offering improved accessibility from major road networks and better proximity to the growing populations in Bicester and Kidlington.
A key feature of the new site will be the inclusion of a dedicated re-use facility. This has been a long-standing request from local residents and will allow suitable items to be sold rather than discarded. The project also commits to environmental goals, with the design incorporating a 20 per cent biodiversity net gain. This includes the management and maintenance of local habitats for years following the development.
Residents should note that the existing planning permission for the Ardley site is currently set to expire on 30 December 2026. While the council is seeking an extension to continue operations at the current location until March 2031, the long-term strategy remains the transition to the new facility by 2030.
The council intends to make a new junction off Vendee Drive the primary access point for the site. As the project moves forward, the council has pledged to engage with the public, with a formal consultation programme planned to coincide with the submission of a planning application. This will offer an opportunity for local interest groups and residents to share their views on the development as details are finalised.
This proposal aims to maintain the current provision of seven household waste recycling centres across the county, ensuring that service levels for Oxfordshire residents remain consistent while upgrading the quality of the facilities provided.
Source: Oxfordshire County Council · View original