CHERWELL District Council looks set to approve a multi-million pound business case to buy surplus Ministry of Defence land.

The council’s executive committee has been in negotiation with the MoD’s property arm since last year to buy Graven Hill and create the UK’s largest self-build development of homes.

Last April the land, just outside Bicester, received planning approval for 1,900 homes, a school, community hall, shops, a pub/hotel, and a business park.

The MoD was also given approval to build a controversial 70,000 sq m building in Arncott, where Bicester Defence Storage and Distribution Centre will amalgamate its operations.

On Monday, councillors will be asked to approve proposals to buy Graven Hill using capital funds and loans, but details of the price are confidential. A report says the site could create 2,000 jobs and also include a 38.5 hectare community wood which would be open to the public.