Chalgrove Airfield: Public events later this month

Currently there are about 1,200 homes in the village of Chalgrove

A government agency that wants to build thousands of new homes on a village's airfield will hold public information events later this month.

Homes England wants to build 3,400 homes at Chalgrove Airfield in Oxfordshire to create a "21st Century market town".

Ejector seat manufacturer Martin-Baker has resisted any efforts to get it to move from the site and many villagers remain opposed.

At least £12.3m of public money has been spent on the project so far.

How Homes England said a park in the market town might look

South Oxfordshire District Council (SODC) and neighbouring Vale of White Horse District Council have previously said the project is "unsuitable for development" and "ill thought through".

It said it wanted to drop it from an anticipated local plan, which the authorities would use as a blueprint for planning in the districts until 2041.

But Homes England said the plan was a "once in a generation opportunity".

It plans to file a new planning application with SODC later this year.

Concerns about the overall development and the proximity to the airfield’s runway were previously raised by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and residents.

A previous application was withdrawn in May 2021.

Martin-Baker has a lease at the airfield until 2063.

Currently there are about 1,200 homes in the village.

The events will be held at Stadhampton Village Hall on 18 April and at John Hampden Hall in Chalgrove on 19 and 20 April.

An online event will be held on 30 April.