Plans are being developed for up to 12 new affordable homes on two council-owned sites in Blackbird Leys.

The homes will be built through a new partnership between Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire Community Land Trust (OCLT).

The Pegasus Road and Balfour Road sites were identified as opportunities for affordable housing through a joint feasibility study carried out by the council and OCLT in 2021.

The study looked at council-owned garage sites and other underused parcels of land across Blackbird Leys, with extensive community engagement helping to identify the most suitable sites for housing.

Funding from the government’s Brownfield Land Release Fund (BLRF) has already enabled the demolition of garages at Pegasus Road, helping to prepare the site for future housing development.

OCLT is now progressing plans to secure planning permission for up to 12 affordable homes across the two sites.

The council has entered into an Agreement for Lease with OCLT. Subject to planning permission being granted and the satisfaction of other conditions within the agreement, OCLT will take responsibility for delivering and managing the homes under a long-term lease arrangement. Through OCLT’s commitment to the Oxfordshire Register for Affordable Housing (ORAH), the homes will be allocated to applicants on Oxford City Council’s housing register.

If the necessary approvals and conditions are secured, OCLT estimates work on site to start in Spring 2027.

Comments

Cllr Linda Smith, cabinet member for housing and communities, said: “There is a huge need for affordable homes in Oxford and every piece of land and every new home counts. Making the best possible use of land the council owns already, such as these former garage sites is especially important.

“These new plans are a great example of what can be achieved when the council works with a community-led housing organisation. We’ve helped unlock underused land and funding, while OCLT is now taking forward plans that could deliver around 12 much-needed affordable homes for local people.

“We hope to see work begin next year and these sites transformed into new homes for people on Oxford’s housing register.”

Jonathan Miller, director at the Oxfordshire Community Land Trust, said: “Oxfordshire Community Land Trust is delighted to have agreed terms on a long-term lease for both the Balfour and Pegasus Road former garage sites.

“Following a short period of community engagement, we plan to submit planning applications for both sites later this year, setting out our vision to transform these former disused sites into permanently affordable homes in perpetuity.”

Image: Roger Templeman CC-BY-SA 2.0 https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bridge_on_Blackbird_Leys_Road_over_railway_branch_line_-_geograph.org.uk_-_2445963.jpg

An Oxford educational campus in one of the city’s education and healthcare districts is being brought to market by Bidwells.

Located at 26 London Road in Headington, the 2.5-acre campus is a former preparatory school and nursery, with existing buildings extending to approximately 37,887 sq ft. The site is being offered with vacant possession and is available as a whole or in part, by way of occupational lease or freehold.

The existing campus provides a range of educational facilities including classrooms, specialist teaching spaces, a theatre, music rooms, science laboratory, gym and dining room, alongside extensive outdoor space with landscaped grounds, playgrounds, a sports court and parking.

Subject to necessary planning consents, the site could be suited to a range of future uses including student accommodation, co living, BTR, residential, medical or charitable.

Oxford is one of the UK’s leading centres for education, science and innovation, anchored by the University of Oxford and complemented by Oxford Brookes University, leading schools and world-renowned healthcare and research institutions. The city’s strong academic and knowledge-based economy continues to attract students, researchers, businesses and investment, supporting demand for high-quality educational, research, office and healthcare accommodation.

Situated approximately 1.9 miles from the city centre, the property is just a short 10-minute walk to Oxford Brookes University’s Headington Campus and close to the University of Oxford’s Old Road campus and the city’s major hospitals and research facilities.

Frequent bus services provide direct access to Oxford City Centre, London and Oxford Parkway, while Oxford Railway Station is approximately 2.5 miles away, offering regular services to London Paddington, Birmingham and the Southwest.

Bidwells is seeking offers on an unconditional or conditional basis for the whole or part of the site, subject to contract.

Comments

Colin Summers, partner, capital markets at Bidwells, said: “26 London Road represents an exciting opportunity to lease or acquire a substantial and well-established educational campus in a highly sought-after part of Oxford.

“With extensive educational accommodation, generous grounds and excellent connectivity to the city’s universities, hospitals and research facilities, the property offers significant flexibility for continued educational use or alternative uses, subject to planning, providing an incoming occupier or investor with a range of uses for the future.”

Real estate investment specialist James Law has joined Mills & Reeve as a partner, supporting continued growth of the firm’s built environment sector and Oxford office.

James joins Mills & Reeve from Clifford Chance with extensive experience delivering complex, large-scale real estate investment matters. He will work with colleagues across the built environment sector to further strengthen the firm’s offering and enhance its corporate and commercial real estate expertise.

Having spent the past decade living in the Thames Valley and working with clients across Oxford and London, James brings a strong understanding of both markets and the opportunities that connect them.

James will work alongside partner Laura Ludlow to strengthen further the firm’s real estate offering in Oxford, while also supporting clients and opportunities across London and the wider region.

James is the third partner to join the office in recent months, following the arrivals of intellectual property and technology specialist Hugh Tebay and employment partner Peter Beisty, further strengthening the firm’s offering in one of the UK’s fastest-growing regions.

The appointment also comes after another recent appointment for the Oxford real estate team – principal associate Abigail Gisbourne.

Comments

James Law, partner at Mills & Reeve said: “What really attracted me to Mills & Reeve was its collaborative culture and the opportunity to be part of a growing team in Oxford. Furthermore, the firm’s sector-focused approach and strong reputation across the built environment create an excellent platform to support clients on their most important real estate projects.

The region continues to attract significant investment and innovation, particularly across the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor, creating exciting opportunities for businesses and investors. I’m looking forward to working with Laura and the wider team, building on existing relationships and getting to know new clients across the region.”

Laura Ludlow, partner at Mills & Reeve, said: “It’s great to have James on board with us. Not only does James have significant experience in the sector, but he also has a deep understanding of the opportunities emerging in both Oxford and London.

“Most importantly, he’s someone who shares our commitment to building strong relationships with clients and colleagues, making him a great fit for the team.”

Image: (Pictured l-r) James Law, partner at Mills & Reeve, Abigail Gisbourne, principal associate at Mills & Reeve, Laura Ludlow, partner at Mills & Reeve