Public views sought for sustainable new homes and public park emerging plans at Oxford North’s Canalside

Thomas White Oxford (TWO) the development company of St John’s Collegeand its residential partner Hill Group have launched their public consultation to share emerging plans for around 318 new homespublic park and access roads at Oxford North’s Canalside.

With outline consent granted earlier in the year for the overall 64-acre masterplan and detailed consent for the first phase of commercial development link road and new park in the Central areaTWO and Hill Group have worked on the detailed plans for 318 new homesof which 111 (35%) will be available as affordable homes.

Of these affordable tenures80% will be provided as social-rental homeswith a further 20% provided for shared ownership. Delivered in tandem will be new landscaped open spaces which will encourage community interaction enhancement of biodiversity and new places for the wider public to enjoy.

The partnership is committed to provide a new sustainable place for Oxford North which promotes exemplar levels of sustainability above the local policy targets.

Canalside will provide for:

• All homes both flats and housesto be heated only using electricity. There will be no gas-heated buildings
• Levels of carbon consumption will be better than national policy requirements by more than 70% thus future-proofing Canalside for all future improvements in national policy
• Energy-producing systems exploration such as photovoltaic panels that further reduce carbon emissions.

The new homes will meet the changing way homes are used to include:

• Generous and creative storage space
• Dedicated home-working spaces
• Generous living spaces that open onto outdoor spaces.

The partnership now seeks the community’s views via an online public consultation to help shape their plans before the submission of Reserved Matters Applications later in the year.

Andy Hill chief executive Hill Group said: “Development at Canalside will deliver high-quality new homes with access to community facilities and green open spaces making this a desirable place to live. The mix of housing is in accordance with the Area Action Plan (AAP) and has helped to encourage a balance of residents with young and old families and singles all living together.

“New amenities provide a range of facilities and services for local people which complements the facilities available in neighbouring areas for the benefit of the wider community. We encourage views from across the community which will help to inform and shape our proposals.”

William Donger director Thomas White Oxford added: “We are working with Hill as an experienced residential development company to deliver the first phase of new homes at Oxford North. The emerging plans ensure that Canalside will promote high-quality architectural design and urban planning to be a great place to live and visit.”

Canalside forms a crucial part of the overall Oxford North project. It sits along the south-western boundaryto the south of the A40. The overall masterplan is for 480 new homesthe balance of which will be in Central and Eastside and subject to future public consultation and reserved matters applications.

The public consultation for Canalside’s new homes opened on Monday 13 September 2021 at 9am and closes on Monday 27 September 2021 at 9am.

View the emerging plans