The Carterton Area Strategy: shaping the future together
This is Carterton’s moment
Carterton is one of West Oxfordshire’s most important towns and it has huge potential. With strong transport links, a thriving community and major employers like RAF Brize Norton it already plays a key role in the life of our district. Now we want to make sure it can thrive for generations to come.
The Carterton Area Strategy will sit alongside the Council’s Local Plan 2041, which will guide how West Oxfordshire grows over the next 15 to 20 years. Carterton and the surrounding area will be at the heart of this growth, with new homes, better services and a stronger infrastructure. The strategy will focus on Carterton and the surrounding area setting a blueprint for the future including redeveloping the town centre to make sure the town has everything it needs to be a great place to live, work and play.
We are focusing early attention here because we believe this is Carterton’s time to unlock new opportunities, support local businesses and jobs, bring new life to the town centre and improve the spaces and services that matter most to residents.
Why this strategy matters
Growth will happen, but the question is how? Across the country, the government is asking local areas to plan for more homes and the infrastructure to support them. Without good planning, pressure builds on roads, schools and essential services.
With the right plan in place, we can make sure Carterton and the surrounding communities grow in a way that supports everyone now and in the future. This is our chance to get it right with better schools, improved roads, more green space, healthcare provision, enhanced broadband, as well as new homes, jobs, shops and hospitality.
Why Carterton and the surrounding area?
Carterton already has the foundations to become a thriving centre for businesses and residents. With the nearby A40 and regular bus services to Oxford and Witney it has good connections. The Local Plan we will look to improve them.
Carterton is home to a proud community, supported by RAF Brize Norton and surrounded by villages that all contribute to the character and economy of the area.
The Strategy will not only look at Carterton town centre but also include nearby villages such as Brize Norton, Shilton, Alvescot, Black Bourton and Bampton. Together, these places form part of the story for the area and will help shape its future.
Our ambitions for the Carterton Area
This strategy is about planning for real improvements that people will notice in their day-to-day lives, while also creating opportunities for businesses to grow.
Homes that meet local needs
We want the Carterton Area to offer a good balance of housing: homes local people can afford, homes affordable for young people starting out, family homes with space to grow and smaller, accessible homes for older residents who want to downsize without leaving the area. For example, a young family might be able to find a new-build home close to a school and play area, while an older couple could move into a modern, energy-efficient bungalow near the town centre.
Green and welcoming spaces
A town thrives when people have places to come together. That means safe play areas for children, more trees and greenery in neighbourhoods and open spaces for community events. Imagine families enjoying improved parks, local sports clubs having access to better pitches and residents being able to meet friends in new outdoor seating areas on the high street.
Better connections
Getting around Carterton and beyond should be easier and safer. We want to see more reliable bus services to Witney and Oxford, safer walking and cycling routes for children travelling to school and better links to nearby train stations like Hanborough.
We will also continue to explore the potential for a new rail link between Carterton and Oxford. This could transform how people travel for work, leisure and business, reducing traffic on the roads and opening up new opportunities for jobs and investment. For example, residents could commute more easily to Oxford or further afield, and businesses in and around the Carterton Area would benefit from being better connected to the wider region.
Improved digital connections, with faster broadband and better mobile coverage, will also help local businesses grow and give residents more choice about how and where they work.
Thriving local economy
The Carterton Area can become a hub for local jobs and enterprise. That could mean more support for independent shops and cafés in the town centre, creating spaces for small businesses and start-ups to grow and exploring opportunities linked to RAF Brize Norton. A revitalised high street, with more places to eat, shop and socialise, would encourage residents to spend locally and attract visitors too.
A resilient, sustainable future
We want the Area to be greener and more resilient. This means energy-efficient homes that cut bills for families, investment in renewable energy and more recycling and waste reduction options. Businesses will benefit from lower energy costs and new green technologies, while residents will enjoy cleaner air, healthier lifestyles and a town prepared for the challenges of climate change.
A collaborative effort
The Carterton Area Strategy will not be written in isolation. We want it to be shaped by residents, businesses, councillors and local organisations.
Your voice matters. This is about building a shared vision for the future of Carterton and mapping out how together we get there, making choices that will shape not just today but the years ahead.
What happens next
The council is appointing a dedicated specialist, who will take up their post in the New Year 2026, to work closely with the community on the Carterton Area Strategic Plan, setting out a clear and shared vision for the areas future, ensuring that growth and development reflect local priorities with the goal of having a comprehensive plan in place by 2028.
As part of the early groundwork, the council has already engaged with the Oxford Growth Commission, who have reviewed and endorsed the approach. Previous studies and reports highlight the strong potential for Carterton and this initiative will translate that potential into meaningful outcomes for residents and businesses.