The Minister for Housing and Planning, Matthew Pennycook MP, visited key sites across Oxford on Thursday (16 October) to witness how the city is tackling the housing crisis.
Accompanied by Oxford City Council Leader Councillor Susan Brown, the visit highlighted the Council’s commitment to delivering sustainable, truly affordable housing while supporting the city’s growing innovation-led economy.
Mr Pennycook visited Newman Place, a development of 273 affordable homes in Littlemore that completed in December 2023. The development, led by not-for-profit housing association Peabody in partnership with Oxford City Council, features 111 homes for social rent and 162 for shared ownership.
Donning a hardhat, he then visited Oxford Science Park, where he toured the Ellison Institute of Technology site, before visiting the District Centre and Block D developments in Blackbird Leys. This scheme of 100% affordable homes, also led by Peabody, will transform the area, delivering 294 homes and improved community facilities.
The Minister also called at The Leys College, which offers a wide range of vocational, further and higher education courses supporting local skills and employment.
Social Rent
Where possible, we provide rented homes let at social rent. This is the rent paid by nearly all our Council tenants and some housing association tenants. Social rent is calculated using a government formula which takes account of the size and value of a home and average regional income. In Oxford, this typically means around 40% of the rent a private landlord would charge for the same home.
Comment
“We were delighted to welcome the Minister for Housing and Planning to Oxford to see the progress we’re making. The work we saw today demonstrates what can be achieved when we work in partnership to meet the city’s housing and economic needs. These projects are an integral part of how we will achieve our four-year target to deliver 1,600 affordable homes by the end of 2028/29.
“Each new home for social rent makes a life-changing difference in Oxford, one of the UK’s most unaffordable places to live. Shared ownership helps people like first-time buyers, key workers and under-40s onto the housing ladder in a city they would otherwise be priced out of. Oxford needs new, affordable homes and Peabody are helping us deliver them."
Councillor Susan Brown, Leader of Oxford City Council
“It was a pleasure to welcome Matthew Pennycook to Oxford and showcase the positive work taking place there. At Newman Place, we worked closely with Oxford City Council, Homes England and through the Oxford Growth Deal, to deliver 100 percent affordable homes - double what was originally planned. These homes are already making a difference to people’s lives.
“Visits like this are a valuable opportunity to show the impact that high-quality, social and affordable homes can have and highlight the support needed to build more. These homes provide much-needed housing for local families and help to create sustainable, vibrant neighbourhoods where people want to live, work and build their futures.
“The visit also highlighted the importance of strong partnerships between housing providers, local authorities and the government. By working together, we can build more affordable homes and create lasting places that people will be proud to call home for generations to come.”
Ian McDermott, Chief Executive of Peabody
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