HOUSES in Oxford city centre are likely to be in even greater demand when High Street is closed to cars on May 31, said a city estate agent.

Richard Thomas, of Knight Frank, was commenting on a report highlighting Oxford as a prime example of the rebirth of city centres.

The report said demand for homes in the centre was booming, and cited the popularity of the 149 new homes being built by Persimmon Homes at Rewley Park, beside the Oxford Canal, which have sold way ahead of schedule.

Mr Thomas said: "Many people moving in are fleeing traffic problems. One couple moved from Harwell because the wife worked in Oxford and she was so fed up with the jams they decided it would be better for him to catch the train out to Didcot."

He said there were only 16 homes left and nearly all the others were sold before they were built.

Oxford house prices are already among the highest outside London and Mr Thomas said the upward trend was spreading out from the centre. "In general, the nearer it is to the city centre, the higher the price," he said.

The company's regional residential development review identifies Oxford as a leading national centre for the reuse of so-called brown-field land - sites where there has been previous development.

Story date: Friday 23 April

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