A CONSULTATION on plans for 800 new homes on the edge of Oxford is launching next month.

Developer Bellway will be asking for people’s views on plans for their Water Eaton site, formerly known as PR6a, before submitting of an outline application to Cherwell District Council, the planning authority, early next year.

The site, which is south of Oxford Parkway station and Park and Ride, adjacent to the northern edge of Oxford at Cutteslowe and east of Oxford Road, is allocated for the development of new homes, a primary school and local centre in the Cherwell Local Plan partial review.

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In September, Bellway acquired the land from Christ Church to bring the site forward for development.

In particular, the new plans include:

Up to 800 new homes, of which 50 per cent will be ‘affordable housing’

  • A primary school
  • A centre including: retail, a café or restaurant, community building and facilities
  • Open space, play areas and allotments
  • Travel infrastructure and green spaces for exercise and relaxation

Fergus Thomas, strategic land director at Bellway Homes, said: “We’re committed to delivering the best possible scheme and continuing to work closely with Christ Church to develop our plans for Water Eaton.

“A development that provides much-needed new homes for Oxford, while working carefully with the local environment and supporting the community. 

“Following two stages of public consultation, this stage provides the wider community with a further opportunity to provide us with their feedback so we can finalise our plans to deliver a scheme that maximises the benefits to the local community and is as environmentally sustainable as possible.

“We will carefully consider all the feedback we receive to this consultation, along with the findings from our technical studies, as we refine our proposals, develop an illustrative masterplan and fix the development parameters for the project.

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“Our application will also be accompanied by a detailed Environmental Impact Assessment. We expect to submit an outline planning application to Cherwell District Council in early 2023.”

The University of Oxford college, which owned the site, had previously consulted on proposals for the development, including a public consultation and an enquiry by design process last year, which enabled communities ‘to contribute to the development of the vision for Water Eaton.’

Two drop-in events will be held where people can learn more about the plans:

  • Saturday December 10: 10am-1pm, Cutteslowe Pavilion Hall, OX2 8ES
  • Wednesday December 14: 3pm-6pm, North Oxford Association Community Centre, Diamond Place, Summertown, OX2 7DP

The consultation opens on December 7. For more information, visit www.water-eaton.co.uk.

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This story was written by Anna Colivicchi, she joined the team this year and covers health stories for the Oxfordshire papers. 

Get in touch with her by emailing: Anna.colivicchi@newsquest.co.uk

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