Oxford City Council – in collaboration with Historic England and Homes England – has published the findings of a study to unlock growth around the Cowley Branch Line.
The study, which contains developer guidance, celebrates Oxford as a vibrant and growing city that has a major role to play in supporting sustainable economic growth, of regional, national and international significance. The City’s unique heritage and sense of place are world-famous, and building on this to ensure it continues to flourish as a modern and vibrant place to live, work and visit is a critical part of the study. It suggests that sensitive, but significant, densification and increases in height in specific areas can achieve this, taking the significant investment in the reopening of the Cowley Branch Line as its cue.
The study has been prepared by LDA Design, a consultancy of urban designers, landscape architects and planners who have worked extensively in and around Oxford, along with the Council’s Urban Design and Heritage Team, Homes England, Historic England and with input from local stakeholders.
Why this area
The study focuses on the land surrounding the Cowley Branch Line in south Oxford – an area identified as a major opportunity for new development and economic growth, strengthened by the planned reopening of the line to passengers.
Detailed visual testing between the Cowley Branch Line area and key city viewpoints shows that development should be ‘clustered’ in specific locations. Areas such as Oxford Science Park and Arc Oxford could make the most of this opportunity to create the next phase in Oxford’s long history of science and innovation. This more strategic approach to the location of taller buildings would help deliver exciting new development opportunities, building on Oxfords international renown in life sciences and other sectors whilst also protecting important views and the relationship with Oxford’s landscape setting for residents, workers and visitors to enjoy.
Local Plan
Densification of suitable areas is a key policy in the adopted Local Plan 2036 and the proposed Local Plan 2045, which is currently undergoing final consultation before submission to the government in summer 2026.
Comment
“Oxford’s economy is one of the fastest growing in the UK, creating new jobs and opportunities across the city. To keep up, we need to make sure local people can find homes close to their work. This study sets out a clear and carefully considered way to do that, now and in the future.”
Councillor Alex Hollingsworth, Cabinet Member for Planning and Culture
“As a historic city, Oxford holds a rich architectural heritage that should be preserved while embracing thoughtful and sustainable growth. Homes England is supportive of this guidance as it represents an important step towards delivering housing and employment growth in a way that is both ambitious and culturally sensitive. Crucially, the document provides a strategic approach for height-sensitive development and offers a shared framework that enables well-designed, context-aware proposals to come forward with confidence, helping to shape growth that works for both current and future generations.”
Julia Krause Assistant Director, South East, Homes England
“Oxford’s heritage is exceptionally important and world-renowned. A City of dreaming spires, but also of growth and innovation. Historic England supports this project’s aspiration to unlock the development potential of this part of Oxford. This guidance will help give greater certainty to prospective investors and developers, while also respecting the City’s much-loved skyline and important connections to its surrounding landscape. By unlocking and carefully guiding sustainable growth people can continue to appreciate what makes Oxford so special for years to come.”
Tom Foxall, Regional Director, London & South East, Historic England
Cowley Branch Line Area of Change is defined as the land and key strategic sites surrounding the proposed two new stations at Oxford Cowley and Oxford Littlemore, including the Oxford Science Park and ARC Oxford.
The full report and Developer Guidance can be found on the Council's website.
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