Work has now started on a new development of 80 affordable homes on land west of Mill Lane in Old Marston.
The site will deliver high‑quality homes, all for rent (32) or shared ownership (48). The project is a significant step toward addressing Oxford’s severe housing need, while creating new homes that sit comfortably within the character and landscape of the village.
The project is being delivered by OX Place, Oxford City Council’s housing company, with homes designed by BM3 Architects and built by Howarth Contractors Limited. The development will provide a mix of 2, 3 and 4 bedroom houses as well as 1 and 2 bedroom apartments.
A contemporary take on the rural character of Old Marston, the homes will feature light brick and stone façades, red and grey tiled roofs, timber weatherboarding, and modest dormer windows. This design will echo the architecture of the surrounding Conservation Area. Details such as front gardens framed by low stone walls and hedgerows, together with cottage‑style planting, will help the new neighbourhood blend naturally into its surroundings.
The new homes are set within a carefully designed street network, inspired by Old Marston’s traditional lanes and green infrastructure. New pedestrian and cycle connections will link the neighbourhood to Cumberlege Close and the public rights of way network.
A new village green along the western edge of the site will provide accessible public open space with views to the countryside alongside natural play areas for both new residents and the wider community.
The homes have been designed using a low-carbon approach, supported by a fabric‑first strategy to reduce heat loss and energy demand. Features include high levels of insulation and air tightness, solar PV panels providing free electricity to all homes. Houses will be heated by air source heat pumps, while the apartments will use heat pumps for hot water.
The development also includes sustainable drainage features, including an attenuation pond and permeable paving and swales to manage surface water, ensuring resilience to extreme weather while enhancing biodiversity. These features sit alongside wildflower meadow planting, flowering lawns and wetland habitats designed to support wildlife.
Construction of the development is expected to take just over two years, with the new homes due to complete towards the end of 2028.
Affordable Homes
All the new homes will be affordable, including homes for social rent, where tenants typically pay around 40% of local private rents, and shared ownership, offering a flexible route onto the housing ladder in one of the UK’s most unaffordable cities.
Comment
“Oxford is one of the least affordable places to live in the country, so developments like this are absolutely vital. These 80 new homes will provide more affordable options for local people – through new homes for social rent from the council, through helping residents take their first step onto the housing ladder via shared ownership, and also by building in measures to help keep energy bills low. We are proud to be building high quality affordable and environmentally sustainable homes that also fit sensitively into their historic and natural surroundings in Old Marston.”
- Councellor Linda Smith, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities at Oxford City Council
“OX Place is thrilled to be starting work on this important development, delivering 80 much needed affordable homes on behalf of Oxford City Council.
“This scheme reflects our commitment to building modern, sustainable communities, while respecting the natural beauty and character of Old Marston. Working in partnership with the council and Howarth Contractors Ltd, we are helping to deliver the homes that Oxford residents desperately need, as part of the city’s wider affordable housing programme.”
- Roger Thompson, Managing Director of OX Place
“Howarth Contractors Ltd is delighted to be working in Oxfordshire and to be partnering with OX Place to deliver this important development. There is a clear need for high-quality, genuinely affordable homes in Oxford, and this scheme represents a meaningful step towards addressing that challenge. We are proud to be playing our part in creating sustainable, well-designed homes that will benefit the local community for years to come.”
- Ben Searle, Managing Director of Howarth Contractors Ltd
