Bletchingdon is to get a new primary school and village hall after major plans were approved last week.
The approval means Bletchingdon Primary School will have its own hall for the first time in its 140-year history.
Residents of Bletchingdon have been working for several years to bring the project to fruition.
Plans submitted by landowner the Duchy of Cornwall include the creation of a primary school, playing field, village hall, shop and 58 homes on a nine-acre site north of Station Road, on the north-west side of the village. A total of 18 homes will be designated as affordable housing,
Councillor Michael Gibbard, Cherwell District Council’s lead member for planning, said the result came after many months of co-operation.
He added: “Unlike many villages which are simply deterred by the number of new homes, the residents of Bletchingdon have acknowledged the multitude of benefits that major developments can bring.
“As well as providing much-needed affordable housing, this application will also offer residents a new and enlarged school, village hall and the potential return of a village shop in a package that is part-funded by the proposed open-market housing.”
Headteacher of Bletchingdon CofE Primary School, Louise Hatton, described the package as, “a superb project.”
She said new facilities would let the school host services for a much wider section of the local community.