The CEO of a theme park proposing a site in north Oxfordshire would want the park to "tell local history" for "local people".

Puy du Fou, which currently has a site in France and Spain, is proposing a park on land above the village of Bucknell and adjacent to the M40 near Bicester. 

The multi-award winning theme park is a unique concept which offers a multitude of live shows and immersive experiences, all set in historical time periods based on the history of the country in which it is located.

Olivier Strebelle, the CEO of Puy du Fou, said a number of meetings have been held in the local community and that the theme park has "very broad support".

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"We’ve had a number of meetings with many people – local government, national government, parish councils, local communities - at this stage we think that we’ve got a very broad support overall in trying to build up Puy du Fou in Cherwell," said Mr Strebelle. 

A key element of Puy du Fou in France and Spain is the talent for the shows, which require "a lot of techniques" and different jobs working together.

Mr Strebelle is hoping to apply the local talent element to the site in Oxfordshire. 

Olivier Strebelle (left) and David Nouaille outside the Whately Hall Hotel in BanburyOlivier Strebelle (left) and David Nouaille outside the Whately Hall Hotel in Banbury (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Strebelle previously said the park in Oxfordshire could employ up to 700 people once open.

"It's local history, it's local people and it's local jobs," said Mr Strebelle.

"This would help to avoid the commute, I know from this area many people are commuting, but with us coming it's going to be local jobs in an industry that is quite exciting.

"Everything would be local.

"We want to build a beneficial partnership for everybody, we are very keen to present a project and imagine a way we could work with them."

Puy du Fou in FrancePuy du Fou in France (Image: Newsquest) Puy du Fou has already met with local theatre groups, including Mill Arts in Banbury, to discuss future opportunities and partnerships - and plans to meet more, including the Arts Council. 

Mr Strebelle said the primary focus is not attracting international visitors.

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"We want the park to be for the local people, for the British people, and we know that if that’s the case, international people will enjoy the park.

"We want to be able to tell local history that triggers emotion to local people."

David Nouaille, head of international relations, added: "It's really important for us that local people are the first supporters of the project and they are proud of the project and the way we tell history.

They are hoping the park will be "beneficial for everyone" and hope to work with local tourist attractions such as Blenheim Palace.

Puy du Fou in FrancePuy du Fou in France (Image: Charlotte Coles, Newsquest) "One of the strengths of this project is that we will attract people who are a huge fan of history and culture and this will have a knock-on effect on the other sites in the area and want to spend another day in the area," Mr Nouaille added. 

While the current focus for Puy du Fou is the planning application - expected to be submitted in June - and a series of public consultations soon, talks with local historians to develop the shows are also in the works. 

A "draft masterplan" of the park will be unveiled at the consultations, for which the dates and locations will be revealed in the coming weeks. 

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