Work to kick-off a new development of 80 affordable homes was marked by a ceremonial groundbreaking this week on land close to Mill Lane in Old Marston.
The ceremony took place on Thursday 18th June and was attended by Oxford councillors including Councillor Linda Smith, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities. With trenches dug and groundworks well underway, the fully affordable site will be delivering high‑quality homes, including 32 for social rent and 48 for shared ownership.
The project is being delivered by OX Place, Oxford City Council’s housing company, providing a mix of 2, 3 and 4 bedroom houses as well as 1 bedroom apartments.
Designed to fit seamlessly into the character of Old Marston and the surrounding Conservation Area, the homes will feature light brick and stone façades, red and grey tiled roofs, timber weatherboarding, and modest dormer windows. 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.
New pedestrian and cycle connections will link the neighbourhood to Cumberlege Close and the public rights of way network. A new green area 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 will also include 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 residents 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
“It is fantastic that we are marking the groundbreaking here in Old Marston. This is a significant milestone, a first step towards creating 80 new homes that will provide more affordable options for local people. These are desperately needed, beautifully designed new homes available both for social rent to council tenants, and for residents looking to take their first step onto the housing ladder via shared ownership. We are proud to be breaking new ground, building the next generation of high quality, affordable and environmentally sustainable council homes in every corner of the city.”
- Cllr Linda Smith, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities at Oxford City Council
“We are proud to be starting work in earnest here at Old Marston, and following today’s groundbreaking ceremony we look forward to 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.”
- Roger Thompson, Managing Director of OX Place
