Plans submitted for 344-room ‘automotive’ hotel on former RAF base

Plans are in for a 344-room hotel and apartment scheme in Bicester designed by London architects Dexter Moren Associates.

The five-storey complex marks the next stage in a vision to turn the former RAF Bicester site into a 425-acre automotive leisure destination.

Subject to planning approval, the building would be located next to a 1936 C-Type hangar and share the same 56,000 sq ft footprint.

It would house 252 hotel rooms and 92 aparthotel rooms, with a total floor area of around 199,000 sq ft.

A five-level atrium would showcase automotive-themed exhibitions and displays, while a ballroom and meeting rooms would offer conferencing and events opportunities.

The hotel’s ground floor leisure facilities could include a 300-cover restaurant, bar, terrace, gym, swimming pool, sauna and children’s areas.

Bicester Heritage is the organisation delivering the plans. The company was set up in 2013 with a mission of breathing new life into the derelict airbase.

Its other planned facilities, outside the hotel, include a private recreational driving circuit and 77-acre country park.

Property consultancy CBRE is leading the drive to secure an operator for the hotel. According to Bicester Heritage, several have already expressed interest.

Designer Dexter Moren, of Dexter Moren Associates, said: “[We] are thrilled to have been selected to design a landmark hotel within a former RAF base, forming part of the Bicester Heritage master plan vision focusing on motorcars and aeroplanes.

“The design objective has been to respond in a contemporary manner to the site’s rich and unique story, drawing inspiration from its historic position at the forefront of aviation, engineering, and innovation while complementing the existing period buildings.”

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