Puy du Fou, the creator of award-winning history-themed destinations in France and Spain, has submitted an outline planning application to Cherwell District Council for the site near to junction 10 of the M40 on land north of Bucknell, near Bicester.
Puy du Fou says that by the time the park is fully developed, it will directly employ around 2,000 people, support a further 6,000 jobs in hotels, restaurants, suppliers and other local businesses, and deliver a £500m annual boost to the local and regional economy.
In June bosses announced that the company has formed a ‘working partnership’ with Activate Learning, which operates Banbury and Bicester College, in a bid to secure employment for the site.
READ MORE: Puy du Fou partners with college group in bid for employment | Oxford Mail
The outline planning application was submitted three weeks ago, and since then many householders – some local, others from further afield – have shared their views via the council’s planning portal.
As of today (Tuesday, September 23), there are 40 letters of support and 43 letters of objection.
Melissa Coke-Smith of Fringford believes the impact of the park on the local area will be ‘severe’.
“There will be severe ongoing noise, dust and waste pollution that again will impact not only the environment but also the villages nearby,” she added.
“There will be a significant loss of privacy to the surrounding villages, and a huge impact to enhanced flood risk.”
READ MORE: MP and locals react to Puy du Fou’s Oxfordshire plans | Oxford Mail
Objector Katherine Holden, of Hethe, near Bicester, said: “This proposal will be damaging for local services and will be a drain on the already congested road network.
“This part of Oxfordshire does not have the infrastructure to support projects of this scale, and plans should be made to relocate.”
Objector Nick Barnes, of Fringford, added: “This is a wholly inappropriate development in totally the wrong place.
“As usual the site is chosen to maximise profitability for the developers but completely ignores the impact on the surrounding area in terms of traffic, noise and pollution more generally.
“An area that has been open countryside for generations is becoming a concrete jungle and with little consideration of the challenges in terms of water supply and waste water disposal it is likely to cause harm to the environment and neighbouring villages”
Objector Martin Lay of Fritwell said: “This is in a farming community and is totally unsuitable for the proposed area. The proposed area is far too large to cope with the disruption of the planned building with heavy lorries and machinery in the moving around the area.”
Objector Daniel Holden-White of Stoke Lyne added: “This development poses a serious threat to the unique character and environment of the local area.”
But amid the objections, many have expressed their support for the project.
Supporter Dean Barson of Ambrosden said: “This is a great opportunity and should be taken with both hands, having been to a few of these parks in other countries it’s an amazing and educational facility that gives great importance to conservation of the area and its surroundings giving you a step back in time that can’t be beaten.
“I truly believe this would be great not just for the local and Oxfordshire area but also for the country as a whole.”
READ MORE: Puy du Fou submits plans for £600m Oxfordshire theme park | Oxford Mail
It comes as We Want Puy du Fou UK, a group set up in support of the proposed development, reached 1,000 members.
A spokesperson for Puy du Fou said: “Our planning application was only submitted three weeks ago and will not be determined by Cherwell District Council until early in 2026.
“Any member of the public or any organisation is able to make a representation to Cherwell right up until the day of the planning committee.
“Thus making any judgement about our application’s quantum, quality or breadth of support as at today rather meaningless.
“We have carried out an incredible engagement exercise, with six separate days of public exhibitions and now over 260 individual face to face consultation meetings.
“And that process is ongoing and will continue throughout the planning process.
“We are frankly humbled by how much support there is for our project.
“Local people and organisations can see the benefits for the local community, the local economy and as future local employees and suppliers”.
“Transport is our number one issue. And so we have submitted a full and well evidenced transport strategy as part of our planning application.”
