A 30 YEAR battle over the future of a former Oxford boatyard could be brought to an end with new plans to redevelop the site with 18 homes, piazza, a café, community centre and a working boat repair wharf.

Plans for the former Jericho Boatyard site went on display outside the neighbouring St Barnabas Church this week, with Cornerstone Land Development, which submitted a planning application to Oxford City Council in June 2020, sharing its designs for the canalside site.

The developer said more than 110 members of the public joined a session led by the project team including developer, architect and planner.

Theo Dennison, for the developer, said: “As anticipated key issues for discussion were the boatyard, community centre, piazza, affordable homes and a much-desired bridge over the canal, with the lack of a bridge into the piazza and the lack of affordable housing being the two hottest issues.”

Data from feedback forms received on the day showed 20 of 32 respondents supporting the regeneration with only three opposing it.

Campaigners from the community-led Jericho Wharf Trust (JWT), formed to develop community facilities on the waterfront, raised concerns over the proposals.

Chairwoman Phyllis Starkey, said the council should refuse the application but held out for a quick resolution to the issue, saying: “This should only be a temporary setback”.

Speaking to the Oxford Times, Ms Starkey said: “It was clear from the members of the public who attended the exhibition that they broadly agreed with the JWT position and were critical of aspects of the application as it stands.

“There are several ways in which the developers’ plan falls short: there is no affordable housing, no bridge, the proposed piazza square is too small, and the boatyard – because of its design – is flood prone.

“We have had a long series of discussions with the developer and the broad shape of the boatyard is what JWT deems to be necessary, but the key issues about dealing with the potential flooding were entirely developed by [Cornerstone Land] and we have told them repeatedly that they make the boatyard unviable because of the frequency of the flooding that would occur.”

However, she added: “We still believe that, with goodwill on both sides, the outstanding issues can be resolved.

“We have already established the basis of a great scheme, and we can work with the developer and with the city council, along with the Canal and River Trust and the Environment Agency to fulfill the original vision for Jericho Wharf as a vibrant new community and waterways hub.”

Others have raised concerns about the lack of affordable housing in the development plans – with Jericho is the most expensive part of Oxford to buy a home.

Oxford city councillor, Lizzy Diggins, who represents Jericho ward, said: “I and councillor Susanna Pressel expressed some of our concerns about the proposal highlighting the size of the piazza, and the lack of affordable housing in the scheme because obviously, Jericho’s a really expensive place to live.

“We then encouraged local residents to share their views, whatever those may have been, with the consultation.”

No date has been given for the planning application to be discussed by the council’s planning committee. Miss Diggins sits on the planning committee, however, after publicly raising concerns, will not be participating in the discussion.

This is not the first time an application has been submitted to regenerate the boatyard.

The boatyard was first closed in 1992, with the first plan to renovate the site being approved in 1994 and then again in 2016 but neither plan came to fruition.

Father Christopher Woods, who is the Vicar at St Barnabas Church, said: “St Barnabas Church Parish Church Council continues to work with all stakeholders in the Jericho Wharf Project in the hope that a development suitable for as wide a number of people in the community will be achieved.

“Compromises are needed by all, but we are committed to collaborative, calm, and level conversations for the sake of the future of this currently derelict site.

“St Barnabas Church is the jewel in the crown of Jericho and as such remains not only a place of beauty and architectural interest, but it also embodies a spirit of encouragement and respect for all.”

Cornerstone Land developers were asked for a comment.