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Overview
Oxford City Council and Peabody (formerly Catalyst) are working together in partnership to build hundreds of good quality affordable homes, retail spaces and a community facilitiy in the heart of Blackbird Leys. The development will come forward in phases with the first homes due to complete summer 2025. Visit Peabody's website on the Blackbird Leys redevelopment.
The project focuses on the district centre (including the ‘top shops’) and land between Knights Road and the Kassam Stadium.
The new District Centre will include 210 new homes across four blocks, for mainly affordable rent and some social rent as well as shared ownership. See our Affordable housing page for what we mean by 'affordable'.
The site will also provide:
- green open spaces
- new public spaces with improved landscaping and play areas
- new and improved shops
- a new community centre
- improved road, cycle and pedestrian infrastructure including a segregated cycle route and car club bays
Block D and the neighbouring Knights Road site are currently under construction. A video showing progress in spring 2025 is available on Oxford City Council's Facebook page.
At the Knights Road site a further 84 new homes are currently under construction, 100% of which will be for shared ownership, featuring private gardens and parking with EV charging.
Location
Open the Blackbird Leys District Centre development location in Google Maps.
Timeline
The plans were first announced in April 2019. Since then, Peabody, the City Council and Transition By Design have held a series of events, workshops and one-to-one conversations with residents and businesses to shape the design of the redevelopment.
Planning permission for the redevelopment was secured in 2023 with work on the first homes starting later that year. Phase 1 is continuing to be built and also includes the community centre and new shops. More homes will follow in a second phase.
New community centre
A new community centre will serve as a focal point for the neighbourhood. Extensive engagement with the community has taken place to design a building that meets current and future needs. An overview is available in the video on the Oxford City Council's Instragram.
The new Community Centre will include meeting spaces, halls for hire for community use, offices for rent and kitchen facilities. Find out more about the final designs on the Community Centre page of Peabody's Blackbird Leys website.
Transition by Design were brought on board to facilitate the co-design process. An extensive series of workshops, exhibitions and meetings have taken place, including the set-up of the Leys Community Review Panel, made up of local Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys residents. The panel helped to make sure that the new community centre design reflected the values and aspirations of local people. For further information on the engagement visit Blackbird Leys Community Centre: Shaping the future centre with people of the Leys on the Transition by Design website.
Peabody submitted a detailed planning application to Oxford City Council in October 2024. The planning committee will consider this application in late spring 2025. For the latest updates on both the housing and community centre progress, and to see Peabody's planning application and designs for the new community centre, visit Peabody's website on the Blackbird Leys redevelopment.
Outdoor spaces
Peabody has pledged to create a sustainable and eco-friendly neighbourhood, with attractive outdoor spaces designed to appeal to all ages.
There are plans for a new central green space for natural informal play, a range of event spaces, and art installations designed using ideas from local schools and community groups.
Improvements in the wider area
Cowley Branch Line
Reopening the Cowley Branch Line for passengers and building a new ‘Oxford Cowley’ station within a short distance of Blackbird Leys is being explored. A Cowley Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge will allow access over the railway line.
Leys Youth Hub
The area will also see an improved youth offer due to open in 2025 - visit our Leys Youth Hub page.
Images credit: JTP Architects
