Alexandra Carter

Bicester Motion has submitted plans to Cherwell District Council for a 200-home live-work neighbourhood on part of its 444-acre former RAF Bicester estate. The scheme would include one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, including affordable housing, along with green spaces, parking, and walking and cycling links. The developer says the homes would support workers in the estate’s mobility, engineering and technology businesses, encourage sustainable travel, and help establish a more active mixed-use community while respecting the site’s heritage and conservation-area setting.

Fourteen-year-old Bicester student Elias Kim achieved an overall score of 84.77% and an upper-first-class grade in the first year of his Biomedical Engineering degree at Imperial College London. He began university at 13 after completing five A-levels, including four A* grades, through an education supported largely by his family. Oxford declined to offer him a place because of concerns about his age and the practicalities of the course, while Imperial and UCL made unconditional offers. Elias is expected to complete his Master of Engineering in 2029, with his family praising his motivation, resilience and academic progress.

Sixteen-year-old Imogen Smith achieved the GCSE grades required to study travel and tourism at the City of Oxford College, despite losing her mother, Angela, suddenly the previous summer. After initially struggling with grief and disengaging from school, she regained confidence with support from teachers, friends, school staff and librarian Sue Quainton. Her aunt and carer, Jasmin Huntley, said the family was proud of her achievement. Imogen hopes the course will help her become a flight attendant and travel the world.

A-level results improved across Cherwell, with 21.3% of entries receiving A* or A grades compared with 20.3% in 2025. Despite the rise, Cherwell ranked fifth among Oxfordshire’s five districts and remained below the 28.5% national average. Schools in Bicester, Banbury and Kidlington reported individual successes, including students achieving multiple A*s and securing places at leading universities, while others overcame neurodivergence, mental health challenges or earlier poor results. Banbury and Bicester College also reported improved T Level outcomes, with students progressing to higher education, employment and further training.

Twin sisters Grace and Lily Bishop celebrated A-level success at Bicester School while pursuing contrasting university paths. Lily earned three As and a B and will study physics at the University of Warwick, with ambitions of becoming a professor, while Grace achieved an A, B, D and Distinction* and will study acting at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts. Bicester School reported that 68% of its Year 13 cohort achieved grades from A* to C, an improvement of seven percentage points from the previous year. Both sisters said they support each other despite their different interests and abilities.

Restoration of Bicester’s 30-year-old Sheep Street clock has been delayed after significant rust damage was found at its base during cleaning and preparation. Additional repairs are required before repainting can begin, with Bicester Town Council consulting Wells Fabrication, which carried out the original work in 1994. Councillor Sam Holland said addressing the damage now would help protect the clock for years to come, while councillor Bryonie Wells highlighted its importance to her family and the wider town.

National Rail warned that temperatures of up to 35C could disrupt train services across parts of southern England by causing overhead power lines to sag, line-side fires and steel rails to buckle. Passengers were advised to check services before travelling, allow extra time, carry water and seek assistance if they feel unwell. Delayed passengers may be eligible for compensation. An amber heat-health alert was issued for south east England, while fire chiefs urged the public to report fires promptly and avoid activities that could ignite wildfires.

The closed Bell Inn in Lower Heyford near Bicester could be redeveloped into a smaller pub, a four-bedroom family home, a restaurant and event space, and five en-suite guest rooms. The preliminary plans would divide the existing building, add a conservatory-style link and potentially include an outdoor bar and garden toilets, but provide no dedicated parking. Parish councillor Mark Potton is seeking residents’ views, while the parish council is also seeking support to list the pub as an Asset of Community Value. No planning application has yet been submitted, and the property could remain closed, be developed differently, or be sold.

Police have completed their investigation into the fatal Bicester Motion fire and passed the case to the Health and Safety Executive, confirming no prosecutions will be sought. Three people died and two firefighters were seriously injured in the 2025 incident. A coroner’s inquest is being prepared, with a full hearing expected later in the year.

Residents protested Home Office plans to house 1,250 asylum seekers on a Ministry of Defence site in Bicester, citing environmental risks, safeguarding concerns and strain on local infrastructure. Community groups and local officials, including MP Callum Miller and the leader of Cherwell District Council, condemned the proposal for its lack of consultation and potential negative impact on protected nature reserves and nearby facilities. The Home Office has not clarified how it will secure necessary planning permission, and further protests are planned.