A pig farmer selling his land for a proposed £600M French theme park near the M40 has been ostracised by local residents. The historical theme park, Puy du Fou, which features no rides, plans to construct a large site north of Bucknell, near Bicester.

However, the proposal has sparked outrage among locals who have labelled it a potential 'nightmare'. Their ire is particularly directed at an elderly couple selling their land to facilitate the project.

Derek Hall, 80, claims he's received the "cold shoulder" since the announcement. He said: "Some people will look the other way. They don't understand the pressures of pig farming. I mean, in 2022 the independent British pig industry went through hell. We were losing £10,000 a week for a whole year; nobody in the village came to me and said: 'You all right, Derek, how are you coping with this?' It was worse than foot-and-mouth."

Derek believes that locals fail to grasp the opportunity presented by the project.

He added: "I think people don't understand that they have the opportunity to deal with a group of people that want this project to go forward, that are going to run it. They're not coming to build it and then going away. They're not building warehouses, and then they're gone."

Derek expressed disappointment at the community's reaction, having been a central figure in village life for many years.

The man shared his extensive involvement in the community, stating: "I have done a lot in the village in my time. "I've chaired every committee in the village, I've been involved with nearly every event that's ever happened in the village. "I would take it somewhat slightly personally that people thought it was horrible."

He clarified misconceptions about the project, saying: "Some of the initial reactions were like it was a roller coaster ride-type fairground that was going to be put in and it's not. "I call it 'Theatre in the forest' because what I've seen in France, that's what it's like.

Mr Hall, a resident of Bainton Lane, cited age and fatigue as reasons for selling the pig-farming land. However, he pointed out that the expansion of nearby Bicester and the surge in house-building were the main factors.

He explained: "Because of the growth of Bicester coming towards us - and a lot of villagers didn't really connect to this - it was putting pressure on our business.

"There's no way we could have an intensive pig business adjacent to a part of the town. It wouldn't work.

"I don't have a member of my family that really wants to continue pig farming. The pigs have been here a long time.

"We have fed lots of mouths over the years but we won't be in pigs anymore."

Reflecting on his contributions, he said: "This village has been very close to my heart for a long time.

"The playing field is because of me. I've chaired the village hall for nearly 40 years.

"I've just retired, I've done lots of things. I've been a parish councillor for 30 years."

His wife, Kate, chimed in, expressing frustration at the criticism they've received: "They're blaming us for everything, and they get some funny.

"We were merely seeking an escape from a complex family business and thought it would be a pleasant change. I anticipated complaints about the traffic, but the backlash has been far more severe than expected," one individual shared.

"Someone knocked on my door and warned: 'They're going to be playing Spice Girls into the night. The noise will be unbearable.'"

With existing locations in France and Spain, the proposed Oxfordshire park would operate from April to October, featuring four period villages and 13 live shows.

However, the proposal has sparked outrage among locals who fear it could become a 'nightmare.'

The park's founder, Philippe de Villiers, who established the attraction in the 1970s, has drawn controversy due to his far-right political affiliations and ties with Russia.

de Villiers also launched the political party Mouvement pour la France in 1994, advocating for policies such as a ban on new mosques and prohibition of gay marriage.

Concerns over Russian connections intensified when plans to open a Moscow site were revealed. However, the company has since abandoned these plans, citing the geopolitical climate following the Ukraine conflict.

Puy du Fou operates history-themed parks in Les Epesses, France, since 1978, and Toledo, Spain, since 2021.

In Europe, it has highlighted historical events like the Roman Empire and figures such as Joan of Arc, the patron saint of France.

Under the current proposals, the new Oxfordshire park would be operational between April and October each year.

The plans also encompass natural elements like ponds, lakes, and gardens, along with over 40 acres of wildflower meadows and a whopping 20,000 new trees. However, the proposed development has sparked apprehension among several locals.

Sarah Evans-Roberts, 64, Cherwell District Council's revenues and recovery officer, voiced her concerns: "I'm against it purely on the logistics and the fact that the B4100 road isn't fit for purpose as it is. This road here will just become a further rat-run, for staff going up there, and this road is ridiculous as it is."

She acknowledged the need for more attractions in Bicester but suggested alternative locations: "I think Bicester needs more attractions, so I'm not against the fact that we're getting an attraction, but I think there's plenty of brownfield sites that would be more suitable."

Ms Evans-Roberts continued: "There's plenty of space at ex-RAF sites up at Hayford Park. And it's not a case that I'm a NIMBY either. It's just purely that the roundabout and the B4100 just will never cope."

She also expressed concern over the potential increase in traffic: "Yesterday was a prime example - There was an accident on the M40, and this was like a motorway down here. When that's there and there are the proposed 2.5 million visitors a year, it's going to be ridiculous."

She questioned the feasibility of relying on public transport for visitor access and raised concerns about animal welfare: "They're selling it on the basis that they believe people will be coming here on public transport. They won't be, because there isn't any. The same customers that go to Bicester Village will not be the same sort of customers that want to come here. I'm also quite worried about the way the French treat animals. Their animal rights rules and laws aren't quite the same as ours. That's just my opinion, because I'm an animal lover."

Nick Jones, 66, a technical director residing nearby, shared his perspective: "I've been living here for 29 years and we're being encompassed by the world. We're not the quiet tranquillity of a country village is under threat, according to one resident.

He lamented: "We've got 7,000 houses due just over there, and then suddenly we get Puy de Fou 500m from my back garden. We're just being overwhelmed by this."

The resident voiced concerns about the loss of over 500 acres of prime farmland to the proposed development, despite assurances that it's not a traditional theme park.

He added: "The infrastructure is not ready for it. Talking to the people we know in the village, most people are against it.

In the last two weeks, four houses have gone up for sale in the village. The situation has even led him to contemplate selling his property and moving elsewhere.

Steve Alderton, 67, a retired motor trade worker, echoed these sentiments. He said: "We moved here for a bit of a quieter life from Aylesbury. Now they're building 7,200 houses over there and Puy de Fou is coming over the back year. It's going to be a nightmare in this village. I can't see this lane being very quiet when it's open."

Mr Alderton, who lives on Bainton Lane, expressed particular concern about noise and traffic, believing that many in Bucknell share his views. However, Colin Hornby, 45, a service manager, took a more neutral stance. He stated: "I am agnostic about it.

Ultimately the land that the Puy de Fou site is potentially going to go on to will be sold for something. I know the farmer down there, and I don't think he's able to continue farming and still make a profit - farming is so difficult.

The future of the land is a hot topic, with one local musing: "Ultimately, he will sell the land. And the question then is what goes there? Either a massive housing development, like is happening all around Bucknell at the moment, or warehousing, because they seem to like to build these massive warehouses all around the place. Pick your poison, really. Do you want a historical theme park?"

He added: "They're planting 20,000 trees and it's not going to have rollercoasters. I see it potentially as the lesser of two evils. I would prefer that to be built, rather than another huge housing estate with 5,000 houses."

However, he acknowledged the concerns of those living nearby: "People are definitely strongly against it, especially the people who live closer - their peace and quiet is but potentially going to be impacted by having noisy events happening there. "

Despite the opposition, Puy de Fou has been praised for its efforts to mitigate noise: "Puy de Fou have done a very good marketing job trying to explain how they're going to shield from noise. They're saying all the right things, but you can never really tell what it's going to be like until it's actually there."

In response to the backlash, a Facebook group named 'We Want Puy du Fou UK' has been established by project supporters.

Adam Goodger, co-founder of the group and resident of Leicestershire, about an hour and 15 minutes drive from the site, expressed his enthusiasm for the French location: "I have loved visiting over the last few years. Puy du Fou is a theme park unlike any in the world."

An avid supporter has spoken out in a fresh perspective on the debate surrounding the proposed Puy du Fou theme park, arguing that detractors have got it wrong. They claimed: "I'd argue theme park is the wrong phrase for it entirely because when people consider the word 'theme park' they think about rides and places like Alton Towers."

Elaborating on what makes Puy du Fou different, the individual explained: "Puy du Fou isn't that. It's some incredibly, clever and innovate ideas that bring together the history of the country they are in."

Despite not living near the potential site, the person recognised local concerns, saying: "I've seen that there are a lot of people who are against the park being built. I don't live in the vicinity of where the park is likely to be built but I do see their concerns, just as anyone would do."

They highlighted a lack of understanding among critics: "But, a lot of the comments I've seen are ill informed and there has been little on the way of research about what Puy Du Fou really is."

Responding to misinformation, the supporter was pleased about proactive measures taken by Puy du Fou: "I'm glad to see that they recently created a myth busting page in order to try and squash those rumours."

The spokesperson also emphasised the potential benefits: "Ultimately, we set up the group to keep people informed on the progress that is being made and the positives that bringing such a place can have, not only for the UK in general, but the local area too."

This statement aligns with Puy du Fou's recent initiative, wherein it introduced a 'mythbuster' page on its consultation website to address falsehoods spread by a minority of locals, aiming to provide accurate information to residents.

Among the misconceptions addressed is the idea of a 'pollution plume' from the nearby Ardley incinerator affecting the proposed site.

Puy du Fou has robustly dismissed allegations of environmental health concerns, with a spokesperson stating: "Cherwell District Council has statutory environmental health responsibilities and would be taking very significant measures if this claim was true."

The company attributed the spread of the rumour to a local resident who opposes their project, saying: "This myth is being circulated by a local resident who is trenchantly opposed to our project but has no relevant qualifications in the field of air pollution."

They also humorously debunked the idea of a selective 'pollution plume': "Almost comically, this mythical 'pollution plume' quite magically misses the three local villages but only lands on our site."

Questioning the logic behind building a visitor attraction in a place with poor air quality, they asked: "How could it possibly be in our interest to build a visitor experience where the air quality is allegedly so poor?"

Addressing other 'general myths', including supposed ties to Russia, Puy du Fou clarified: "This is an untrue conspiracy theory purposefully being circulated to besmirch Puy du Fou,"

They explained their past Russian venture: "Puy du Fou explored opening a park in Russia and were caught off guard by the rapid deterioration of the geopolitical situation in Russia and Crimea."

Confirming the cancellation of the Russian project due to international sanctions, they stated: "Quite properly we cancelled this initiative once the international sanctions regime was established. The Russia project never went beyond an outline concept."

A Puy du Fou spokesperson highlighted the positive reception their parks receive: "Every day we are open, tens of thousands of visitors in two countries witness the quality and popularity of Puy du Fou's work, as evidenced by the thousands of glowing reviews on social media, TripAdvisor, Google, Facebook etc."

They concluded by asserting that their visitors' satisfaction is the best rebuttal to criticism: "Our visitors provide the best response to these negative and unfounded criticisms."