Development for 40 affordable homes on edge of Oxford

Marston Paddock includes 26 houses and 14 flats built around a central green space.

All homes are set to have private outdoor spaces with houses and ground floor flats having gardens or terraces and upper-level flats having balconies.

Each home will be constructed in stone and dark timber boards that reflect the character of the adjacent Old Marston Conservation Area.

Work taking place at Marston Paddock (Image: Oxford City Council)

The affordable housing project was given planning permission in July 2022, with an initial plan for 20 affordable homes and 20 for market sale.

Construction started in November 2023, and following a sale from Lucy Group to OX Place, Oxford City Council’s wholly owned housing company, in May, the entire project was made affordable.

The site was subsequently sold to the council by OX Place, with the new homes due for completion in autumn 2025.

In total, the 40 homes comprise 19 shared ownership and 21 council homes. The council homes are a mix of single, double and four-bedroom flats and houses.

Shared ownership homes are aimed at helping first time buyers, key workers and under 40s step onto the housing ladder in Oxford, the most unaffordable city in the UK.

Work taking place at Marston Paddock (Image: Oxford City Council)

The shared ownership properties will include seven two-bed and 12 three-bed homes.

These homes are being designed to maximise energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and blend in with the surrounding area.

Enhanced insulation, air tightness standards, and high-performance windows will add to the sustainability of the homes while air source heat pumps will supply heating and hot water.

Further energy and cost savings will be achieved by mechanical ventilation heat recovery systems, which recycle heat from stale moist air.

There will also be electric vehicle charging points and secure bicycle storage, with a new access and cycle route linking with the A40 cycle path.

Councillor Nigel Chapman, cabinet member for citizen focused services and council companies, said: "Marston Paddock marks the first time OX Place and Lucy Developments have worked together and it’s great seeing them deliver a state-of-the-art development of 40 badly needed affordable homes.

Oxford City Councillor Nigel Chapman at Marston Paddock (Image: Oxford City Council)

"I hope this may be the start of a very fruitful relationship."

Helen Horne, managing director of OX Place, added: "As Oxford City Council’s housing company it is OX Place’s mission to deliver affordable homes and our partnership with Lucy Developments is helping us do just that.

"Marston Paddock provides 40 high-quality sustainable homes and each will make a life-changing difference to people on the council waiting list or struggling to get on the housing ladder in Oxford."