What Elmsbrook is
Elmsbrook is the exemplar phase of North West Bicester — the UK's first eco-town and one of only a handful of globally endorsed One Planet Communities. Developed by A2Dominion with sustainability partner BioRegional (creators of BedZED in south London), the 413-home neighbourhood was built to Code for Sustainable Homes Level 5, with solar panels on every roof, a district heat network, super-insulated timber-frame construction, triple glazing, and site-wide rainwater harvesting.
This is not a development in active sales. Elmsbrook is a mature, built-out neighbourhood. Its significance for relocation is the proof it provides: Bicester's Garden Town ambition is not just planning language. A real zero-carbon neighbourhood exists, with homes, a school, community facilities, an eco-business centre and a residents' association.
Sustainability credentials
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Build standard | Code for Sustainable Homes Level 5 |
| Solar PV | Every roof — 13,450m², 1,682kW peak at time of build |
| Heating | District heat network from CHP plant |
| Insulation | Super-insulated timber frame with triple glazing and MVHR |
| Water | 80 litres/person/day target (vs ~150L UK average); rainwater harvesting |
| Green space | 40% of site designated open/green space |
| Carbon reduction | 84% lower than average UK household (Bioregional measured outcome) |
| Heating demand | 64% lower than UK average |
| Energy saving | ~£400/year on electricity, heating and hot water vs Bicester neighbours |
Community infrastructure
Elmsbrook was designed from the outset as a complete neighbourhood, not a housing estate:
- Primary school (on-site)
- Community centre and hall
- Nursery (350m²)
- Eco-Business Centre (1,800m²) — for green start-ups and local enterprise
- Convenience store, post office and pharmacy
- 30% affordable homes
- 40% open/green space, orchard, allotments
Transport
Bicester North and Bicester Village train stations are 1.3–1.5 miles from Elmsbrook — a realistic cycling distance on the off-road cycle route. Buses run into Bicester town centre with stops within 400 metres of every home. The development was designed around a target of 50% of journeys being made by non-car modes, with an electric car club on-site.
From Bicester: Oxford is 15 miles (26 min by train). London Marylebone is around 55 minutes by Chiltern Railways from Bicester Village. The M40 (Junction 9) is under 5 miles.
Bicester context
Bicester is one of Oxfordshire's fastest-growing towns — designated a Garden Town, connected by East West Rail to Oxford (under construction), home to Bicester Village (outlet retail), Bicester Motion (heritage and electric vehicle campus) and a broad mix of new communities at different scales and specifications.