A planning application submitted by an Oxford college to build nearly 1,500 new homes in the city is due to be considered. 

Christ Church, in partnership with Dorchester Residential Management, is proposing to build 1,450 properties at land north of Bayswater Brook.

50 per cent of the new homes would be affordable housing, as well as an additional 120 assisted living properties.

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The application also includes a plan for a new primary school and a promise to make contributions towards expanding secondary and SEN education. 

Oxford Mail:

Additionally there are plans to refurbish the existing Wick Farm buildings and Grade II-star listed Well House to create a vibrant local centre.

There would also be a new pedestrian and cycle bridge across the A40.

According to Christ Church and the developer, this would provide a safe link connecting Barton, Barton Park, and Bayswater to Oxford.

The bridge has been designed by architects Wilkinson Eyre and plans to encourage cycling and walking as a fundamental part of the development.

James Lawrie, treasurer at Christ Church, said: “With Oxford facing a significant housing crisis, we are proud to be delivering vital homes to address Oxford City’s unmet housing need.

“We are excited to present our proposals for a beautiful, sustainable neighbourhood with 50 per cent affordable housing, which will include renewable and low carbon technologies.

“We look forward to giving this development a distinct identity that integrates seamlessly with the surrounding landscape and will provide amenities and facilities for use by the existing communities at Barton, Barton Park and local villages to help bring the communities together through an innovative approach to long-term stewardship.”

Oxford Mail:

The planning application has been submitted after two years of community and stakeholder engagement.

The land in question was allocated for strategic development in the South Oxfordshire Local Plan of December 2020.

The plan forms the basis for determining all planning applications in the district.

The proposed development would be set over 57 hectares and would also include new recreation and public open spaces.

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As part of the application, the college and Dorchester Residential Management have proposed to enhance the natural flow of the Bayswater Brook and to create new wildlife habitats.

They say this will exceed biodiversity net gain targets, while at the same time manage flooding and improve existing issues for local properties.

The application proposes to use renewable and low carbon technologies to create greener homes and a sustainable development.

For example, this would include avoiding the use of fossil fuels to heat the new buildings from the outset.

The submitted application is available to view on both Oxford City Council and South Oxfordshire District Council websites.