Oxfordshire Railfreight Limited have recently published plans for a Strategic Railfreight Interchange at Ardley.
The proposals are considered to be a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP). As such, the proposals require an application for a Development Consent Order (DCO) which would be submitted for examination by the Planning Inspectorate who will process the application. The Secretary of State for Transport would then consider the Inspector’s recommendation and determine the application.
The Stage 2 (statutory) consultation closed on 4th November 2025. The deadline for submitting comments direct to the Planning Inspectorate was 19th July 2026.
Details of the plans can be found on the project website http://www.oxsrfi.co.uk
The Parish Clerk also has a limited number of USB memory sticks containing documents and plans provided by the project team.
Update September 2026:
The application will start being considered by the Planning Inspectorate on 29th September, a process that could last 6 months.
Cherwell DC and Oxfordshire CC are not opposing the plan, so the Mid-Cherwell Neighbourhood Plan team are looking to coordinate local opposition. MCNP have issued a briefing paper setting out their concerns: SRFI article.
Update June 2026:
The Planning Inspectorate have accepted the application for the DCO. There is now an opportunity to submit representations direct to the Planning Inspectorate on the Planning Inspectorate’s Registration and Relevant Representation Form. This is available online at https://national-infrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/TR050008 where documents relating to the application can be viewed free of charge.