203 diesel generators, approved without a vote
Eight data centre units, 435MW at maximum demand, have been approved at Graven Hill near Bicester. Council officers signed it off in August 2026 without a committee vote, on a site first approved for warehouses.
- Ref
- 25/03310/REM
- Decides
- Cherwell District Council
- Size
- 290MW, 32.3 ha
- Next
- Sign-off and later phases
To Cherwell District Council leader and planning chair: Graven Hill's data centres were approved without a single vote by councillors. No more generators and no further phases without a full, public decision by elected councillors.
Why local people are worried
It's approved. Here's what you can still do
The headline decision has been made, but conditions, legal agreements and detailed designs still need approval. Each is a chance to be heard.
- Quote the reference: 25/03310/REM
- Good planning grounds include: impact on the Green Belt or countryside, energy use and carbon, water supply, noise, traffic, wildlife and heritage. Developers' promises are not guarantees: ask for them to be made binding.
Comment on any condition-discharge or new application on the Cherwell planning register; ask Cherwell councillors and the local MP to scrutinise. Whether a judicial review was lodged within the usual six-week window (to about mid-September 2026) was not found.
We haven't found a local group yet. If you're organising, get in touch and we'll link to you, or hand this page over.
Every fact on this page is sourced. See the full record on Data Centre Watch. Last checked 3 October 2026.