Puy du Fou Theme Park Plan Faces Local Opposition in Oxfordshire, UK

Puy du Fou wants to create a park near Bicester. The park would be by junction 10 of the M40. This historical theme park would not have rides. They already have parks in France and Spain.

The Oxfordshire park plans to open from April to October. It would include four period villages and thirteen live shows to entertain people. Last week, PdF held local meetings where people shared their thoughts and learned more about the park plans.

PdF will submit a planning application this summer. However, some local residents have worries. Richard Allen, Karen Walton, and Adam Walton live nearby and fear traffic, pollution, and wildlife harm. They formed a group called NORA, which opposes local over-development and now focuses on the theme park plans.

NORA also worries about new housing, as the Local Plan 2042 suggests 7,500 new homes. The Waltons think it would cause chaos, as they moved to Bainton for peace and quiet. Now, the area may change a lot, and they worry about more traffic on small roads.

Mr. Allen thinks roads are already too full and mentions new warehouses and other projects. More visitors will overload the roads, and he thinks this will create gridlock. Gridlock would harm local people and their travel.

Oxfordshire County Council talked to PdF about traffic issues. A spokesperson says they will engage with communities when they know more. Puy du Fou’s CEO, Olivier Strebelle, understands concerns and says they are central to the park plans.

PdF assesses potential traffic from the park and will make infrastructure adjustments. They say they will keep most of the existing trees and plant about 20,000 new trees. The park is discussing carbon offsetting with local partners and hopes to boost local biodiversity.

Mrs. Walton worries about the habitat. Animals may leave because of the park, which she thinks will be too noisy. Small and large animals may not stay there.

NORA hopes to address more than just one issue and aims to create a lasting group. Mr. Allen thinks people will rethink moving to the area when they see all the planned development. He says they are not against all development, but they oppose uncoordinated development.

Mrs. Walton states the developments are huge, and the scale will have a large local impact. Cherwell District Council welcomes input from resident groups, as this input helps with applications and the Local Plan.

Mr. Strebelle is excited about the theme park project and by local peoples’ support. He claims PdF is not a typical developer, and they plan to stay in the area for many years. He looks forward to working with locals.