Oxford: Next step in redevelopment of Blackbird Leys

Oxford City Council has given notice that it proposes to appropriate land at Blackbird Leys District Centre and Knights Road for the Blackbird Leys Development project.

A report on the appropriation will be considered by the council's cabinet "on or after September 13, 2023."

Catalyst, which is part of the Peabody Group, and Oxford City Council submitted plans in February to build nearly 300 affordable homes, new shops, and new community facilities in Blackbird Leys.

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The project will focus on the district centre and land between Knights Road and the Kassam Stadium.

The planning application contains detailed plans for a new district centre to include 210 new homes, 174 of which will be for social rent and 36 shared ownership.

Road infrastructure will be improved and a safe, segregated cycle route created.

The application also includes 84 new houses on land off Knights Road that will all be shared ownership.

Catalyst and Oxford City Council aim to start work on the first phase of the development late this year.

Consultation on future phases of the development is likely to take place in 2024.

Catalyst said it would create "a sustainable and eco-friendly neighbourhood, with a focus on boosting wildlife and healthy living. The design includes a new central green space for natural informal play and a nature trail."  

The proposals also include community space including a residential roof terrace to help promote intergenerational living.

The city council said it is working with the community to develop the detailed designs for the new community centre.

It added that given the huge rises in construction costs there are still financial challenges to resolve to bring the scheme forward.

However, Catalyst will continue to work through these while the planning application is being considered.

The application has attracted a handful of objection comments.

Agnes Smith Advice Centre commented: "We would like to have confirmation that there is a commitment not to reduce the space for the community centre or the retail area below the amount of space available in the existing facilities.

"We have heard that there has been discussion of the possible inclusion of the health centre and library in the community centre. If this is the case, we would be concerned about this."

The Oxfordshire Badger Group objects strongly to the application, saying: "The proposal for up to 84 dwellings on and adjacent to the Spindleberry Nature Reserve will have a devastating impact on the ecology of both the reserve and Northfield Brook."

The charity said the application, which has 415 documents attached, "justifies a separate planning application where scrutiny is more robust and where the public do not have to wade through the hundreds of papers associated with the district centre plans."

A neighbour comments: "Blackbird Leys is a deprived area and the local people need parks that they can go to. This is a pleasant park that provides respite from the built up housing. Cramming so many people into a small area is not good for the population and there would be little wildlife to enjoy."

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Another resident wrote: "OK, yes obviously more housing is needed but looking at plans the majority are flats! People don't want/need flats, they want gardens for their young children to play in!"

A plan showing the site can be viewed at www.blackbirdleys.co.uk

Anyone who wishes to obtain further information should contact Karoline Mendonca at ksoisalodemendonca@oxford.gov.uk.

Any person who wishes to comment on the proposed appropriation before a decision is reached should email at regeneration@oxford.gov.uk with the subject line 'Blackbird Leys Appropriation', to arrive no later than 5pm on July 27, 2023.

Comments received by that date and time will be considered by the council's cabinet before a decision is taken.