Planning inspectorate greenlights Mountpark’s 6.5 million ft2 +OxSRFI rail freight scheme for examination

By Liza Helps, Property Editor, Logistics Matters

THE ACCEPTANCE marks a major milestone for the project and reflects years of technical, environmental and strategic planning work to bring forward a £1.5 billion nationally significant infrastructure scheme

OxSRFI is being brought forward to respond to a shortage of rail‑connected logistics capacity along the M40 motorway corridor. Its location enables it to support supply chains across Oxfordshire, London and the South East, the Midlands and the wider OxCam Corridor, reducing the need for long‑distance HGV movements and supporting more resilient, sustainable freight networks.

Once operational, OxSRFI could circa. 6.5 million ft2 plus of BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ and EPC A+ purpose‑built logistics space as well as a new intermodal rail terminal and on‑site renewable energy generation

By enabling more freight to move by rail, the scheme is designed to help reduce congestion, carbon emissions and pressure on the strategic road network.

Approximately 60% of the site is dedicated to green and blue infrastructure, including woodland creation, biodiversity enhancement, sustainable drainage and long‑term habitat management.

The scheme was initially proposed in 2018 and a DCO submission was put forward  last year. Following acceptance, OxSRFI will now move into the formal examination phase during 2026, with continued engagement with statutory bodies, stakeholders and local communities. A recommendation will then be made to the Secretary of State for Transport ahead of an anticipated decision in mid‑2027.

As the project has been accepted as an NSIP, permission to build needs to be given at a national rather than regional or local level.

Independent analysis indicates that OxSRFI could deliver substantial economic benefits, including £361.2 million per year contribution to the UK economy, some £21.9 million in annual business rates as well as the creation of over 9,000 full time jobs.

Commenting on the acceptance of the application, Harriet Moloney, Director of Planning at Mountpark, said, “The acceptance of our DCO application is a significant step forward for OxSRFI and reflects years of careful, landscape‑led work to bring forward a scheme that delivers for the economy, communities and the environment. OxSRFI has the potential to transform how freight moves through Oxfordshire and the wider region, supporting cleaner, more sustainable logistics while unlocking substantial long‑term investment. We look forward to engaging constructively with the Planning Inspectorate as the project moves through examination.”