Overview
Railway Lane is a new 100% affordable housing development being delivered on a derelict former brownfield site in Littlemore, Oxford. This OX Place scheme will provide 90 high-quality affordable homes, delivered in partnership with Cantay Estates, making a significant contribution to meeting local housing need.
The development will transform the former oil depot site into urgently needed new homes, bringing it back into productive use while improving pedestrian connectivity in the area, including an enhanced walking route through to Thompson Terrace.
What is being built
The scheme will deliver 90 affordable homes, with a wide range of property types to meet different housing needs:
- 1 bedroom flats
- 2 bedroom flats and houses
- 3, 4 and 5 bedroom family houses
Just over half the development (47 homes) will be at social rent with the remaining 43 to be offered as shared ownership homes.
The homes will be tenure-blind in design, ensuring a consistent quality, appearance and layout across the development.
Accessible and adaptable homes
All homes will be built to adaptable standards, while five homes will be built to wheelchair user standards (M4(3)), including:
- 2 x 2 bedroom flats
- 3 x 4 bedroom houses
Design and quality
The development is designed to be a top tier affordable housing scheme, with:
- High-quality architecture and materials
- Varied building heights and elevations
- A layout that blends sensitively with the surrounding area
Sustainability
Railway Lane will be a highly sustainable, all-electric development, designed to minimise energy use and running costs for residents.
Key sustainability features include:
- A fabric-first design approach
- Air-source heat pumps
- Solar photovoltaic panels on roofs
- Target of zero carbon for regulated energy
- Minimum 40% carbon reduction compared to 2022 Building Regulations
- EPC rating of B or above for all homes
The development will include:
- Landscaped amenity spaces with good access and permeability
- Green corridors to improve walking routes through the site
- Biodiversity enhancements and ecological improvements
Transport and parking
The ambition for the site is to create a low car development, prioritising walking, cycling and sustainable travel.
- Disabled parking and limited visitor parking will be provided
- Electric vehicle charging will be introduced
Planning and delivery
Construction is expected to be completed in phases, with all homes in Phase 1 due for completion by Spring 2026. The first 24 homes will be for social rent and are expected to complete in early 2026. The full development is planned to complete by the end of 2026.
Further updates will be published on this page as the development progresses.
Social Value
As part of this project we’ll make a significant contribution towards sustainable travel in the local community. This includes maintaining local bus routes and building a new bus shelter with real time bus information.
Further updates will be published as progress continues.
