The ribbon has been cut on 29 new homes at Keepers Place, to mark the completion of the first phase of the fully affordable housing development in Littlemore.
Councillors Linda Smith and Nigel Chapman joined representatives from OX Place, Oxford City Council's wholly owned housing company, Oxford City Council, Homes England and construction partner Cantay Estates at the site for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the milestone on Wednesday 24 June.
The first phase of the handover consists of homes for social rent providing much-needed affordable housing for local people on the housing register.
When fully completed, the development will include 90 affordable homes, comprising one and two-bedroom flats, two-bedroom houses and larger three, four and five-bedroom family homes. Overall, 47 homes will be available at social rent, with a further 43 offered through shared ownership.
Built on the site of a former oil depot, the Railway Lane located development is transforming a long-derelict brownfield site into a sustainable new neighbourhood while improving pedestrian connections in the area, including a new walking route through to Thompson Terrace.
The homes have been designed to high environmental standards and are fully electric, featuring air source heat pumps. Using a fabric-first approach, the development is designed to reduce energy consumption and lower household energy bills. All homes are expected to achieve an EPC rating of B or above, with the scheme achieving more than a 65% reduction in carbon emissions compared with 2022 Building Regulations.
The development also provides landscaped communal spaces, biodiversity enhancements, improved walking routes and facilities to encourage sustainable travel, including electric vehicle charging points.
The remaining phases of Keepers Place, built with grant support from Homes England, are due to be completed by early 2027.
Social Rent
Social rent levels mean council tenants will typically pay around 40% of the rent a private landlord would charge for the same home. Shared ownership is a flexible option which helps a range of people onto the housing ladder in one of the UK’s most unaffordable cities.
Comment
"Today marks an important milestone here in Littlemore, as we celebrate the completion of the first social rent homes at Keepers Place, where we will soon be welcoming the first residents to this new community.
"Oxford urgently needs more genuinely affordable homes, and developments like this show how, with the help of our partners we can transform brownfield land back into use to help meet that need. These new, high-quality homes will give local people and families the opportunity to remain in the city they call home while benefiting from lower-carbon, energy-efficient living.
"Through OX Place, we are building hundreds of affordable homes across Oxford. Keepers Place is one of our largest developments and will ultimately provide 90 affordable homes, making a significant contribution to tackling Oxford's housing crisis."
- Councillor Linda Smith, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities
“OX Place is proud to be unveiling the first homes at this critical development here in Littlemore, where we have worked with Cantay Estates to deliver a truly special new community. This partnership has created a range of low carbon, high quality, new homes that demonstrate what’s possible when we build with people and the planet in mind.”
- Councillor Nigel Chapman, Cabinet Member for Citizen Focused Services and Council Companies
