Cherwell District Council's executive has backed proposals for a Bicester sports village, which will see land set aside for sporting facilities as part of the south-west development. Cherwell District Council can now draw up formal planning applications for the development.

The complex would include a high-quality synthetic floodlit football pitch, a floodlit six-lane athletics track, tennis courts, a cricket pitch, three rugby pitches, and three junior football pitches. There would also be a pavilion with changing rooms, conference, catering and meeting facilities, and fitness and treatment rooms.

Cllr George Reynolds, CDC portfolio holder for community, health and the environment, said: "There is going to be a growth in sports participation, not only in the run-up to the London Olympics but also when the games are over.

"Coupled with a growing population, we want to be sure Bicester has first-rate facilities that meet the demand. Bicester sports village really will be a place where excellence is achieved through participation."

It is hoped the village could be completed by 2012, but it will be dependent on the developers' start date for the south-west Bicester housing development.

Some funding for the project will be sought from Sport England and the Football Foundation.
Steve Flynn, chairman of Bicester Athletic Club, said local sports clubs had been involved in discussions with the district council over the sports village.

He said: "We are delighted at long last there are plans in the Bicester area to upgrade sports facilities and, as an athletic club, we are pleased there are proposals to provide a six-lane track."

Bicester town councillor, Debbie Pickford, who is chairman of the town council's sports provision working party, said the next phase would be applying for planning permission.

She said: "We are delighted – it has been a long time coming. The town council has recognised for many years that Bicester is 40 acres short of sports facilities."

She added if planning permission is granted, the sports village would take between two and three years to build.