In November 2019, Great Lakes UK Ltd submitted a planning application to build a new leisure resort in Chesterton, Bicester. The application including proposals to build a hotel, waterpark, family entertainment centre, conferencing facilities and restaurants on a site to the east of the M40 and south of the A4095.
In September 2020, Great Lakes UK Ltd submitted an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate. In May 2021, the appeal was allowed and planning permission granted. I was deeply disappointed by this decision as I have always felt the plans are completely inappropriate for Chesterton.
Since then, I have had meetings with Parishes Against Wolf, Chesterton Parish Council, Cherwell District Council, Oxfordshire County Council and Great Wolf themselves about the development in Chesterton. Our discussions were helpful as they provided an opportunity talk about the outcome of the Planning Appeal and understand next steps. At my meeting with Great Wolf it was clear that they were keen to do what they can to work with the local community and work out appropriate mitigation for the village.
In August, I received an update from the developer advising that they are now exploring multiple locations for their first UK resort and so are suspending work at Chesterton in the interim. I will be following all developments closely.
You can visit Great Wolf's webpage here for all updates.
