DOZENS of new homes have been approved in the latest milestone for Oxfordshire's newest village being built at former RAF base Upper Heyford.

Planning for 79 new homes has been waved through by councillors for the development in Heyford Park, near Bicester.

The new homes, put forward by Pye Homes, are part of plans for a new estate of more than 1,000 properties on the site, which also served as a United States airbase in the 1970s.

Cherwell District Council planning committee chairman, David Hughes, said: "Upper Heyford is a site of great strategic importance as new homes are delivered in north Oxfordshire.

"This proposal is a good example of how we can plan for the future while protecting links to the past."

Hundreds of homes have already been built on the airbase, as well as Heyford Park Free School, which has converted former army buildings.

More than a third of the latest homes – approved by Cherwell District Council on Thursday, September 28 – will be affordable housing.

The proposal from Pye Homes includes work to create a new access road to the 79 homes, close to the eastern edge of the former airbase, from Camp Road.

Plans will now be put in place regarding the financial contribution from developers to help pay for heritage conservation and community infrastructure including roads and sports facilities.

Mr Hughes added: "Across the new settlement, plans are being made to integrate the history of the former RAF Upper Heyford into developments in the area.

"It is pleasing to see that developer is planning to build these new homes in a way that reflects the base’s architectural history.

"Equally, we recognise that there is a great opportunity to improve the character and atmosphere of the village through new buildings, and we are expecting to see modern and varied developments offering a high standard of landscaping, infrastructure and amenity for residents."

Military activity at RAF Upper Heyford ended in 1994 before current owners Dorchester Living took on part of the site and received outline planning permission in 2010.

Plans include up to 1,075 homes plus the transformation of a number of military buildings to create a village centre including shops, apartments, a restaurant and cocktail bar, plus a heritage centre paying tribute to the site's history.