DEVELOPERS are vying for the right to rejuvenate two neglected community centre sites in Oxford.

Oxford City Council wants to see a new Cowley Community Centre built, and replace the ageing Northway Community Centre.

The schemes would see about 100 affordable homes on the two sites, along with development at a third site in Westlands Drive, also in Northway, which is currently used by the homelessness charity Emmaus.

The council, which does not have the money to pay for the projects itself, is offering the sites to developers. Building the affordable housing and the new community centres will be the price tag firms will have to pay.

Council officers have asked for initial proposals from potential developers as part of the tender process and have already had several expressions of interest.

The deals must include a new like-for-like sports and community centre at the Dora Carr Close site in Northway, which would have to be completed before the current building, which needs an estimated £85,000 of repairs, is demolished.

In Barns Road, Cowley, prospective bidders must provide a new community centre, although it would be smaller than the previous building, which was demolished last year after being condemned by fire safety officers.

A new furniture store for Emmaus would also be built on the site, although this would be financed by the charity.

The successful developer must provide 50 to 100 per cent affordable housing on the three sites.

Any payments to the council for the sites will depend on the final percentage of affordable homes, but the council has made it clear it wants as much affordable housing as it can get, rather than money.

Former Northway Residents’ Association chairman Betty Fletcher welcomed the plans but said the council must deliver on its promise.

She said: “We want a state-of-the-art community centre but not so many houses. We’re bogged down with them.”

Bill Baker, the chairman of the Oxford Federation of Community Associations, said he hoped the proposal would work.

But he said the viability of any new community centres would hinge on having a licensed bar to bring in income, something the council does not require in new facilities.

He added: “You should always have a community facility and it should be the heart of the community.”

The city council’s deputy leader, Ed Turner, said: “This is a great opportunity to provide state-of-the-art community facilities that are very much needed, and to bring forward much-needed affordable housing for local people.”

He said that the council did not have money available to redevelop the sites itself.

Emmaus project director Wyon Stansfeld said the charity was delighted by the chance to build facilities in Barns Road and would launch a fundraising appeal.

Councillors will discuss the proposals next week.

A preferred bidder for the scheme is expected to be chosen in October, once formal bids are assessed.