The first affordable homes in the regeneration of Oxford's Blackbird Leys are set to welcome new residents from this summer.

A total of 84 shared ownership homes, currently being built by Peabody and Oxford City Council at Knight’s Road, will be released in phases between this summer and next spring. These two- and three-bedroom homes will provide an accessible route to home ownership.

Next spring will also see the completion of 61 new homes for social rent in the District Centre. These one, two and three-bedroom apartments will be allocated to households on the council’s housing waiting list, addressing the city's urgent need for social housing. An additional 51 social rent apartments are expected to be completed in 2027.

Recentky, Peabody, Oxford City Council and construction partner The Hill Group held a 'topping out' ceremony, celebrating the highest point of construction for the first block of social homes. This milestone is part of a broader two-phase regeneration effort that will ultimately deliver 294 new homes in the District Centre and Knight’s Road. The development includes both houses and apartments, catering to families of varying sizes.

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Beyond housing, the regeneration project will bring major enhancements to the District Centre, including new shops, green spaces, dedicated cycle routes, and a purpose-built community centre. A detailed planning application for the new community centre—set to be owned and managed by the council—was submitted in October following community consultation. The application is expected to be reviewed by Oxford City Council’s planning committee in early summer.

Simon Barry, Regional Managing Director, Development at Peabody, said: "Oxford is a world-class city, but like many places, it's expensive to live in and desperately needs more affordable housing. So, it's fantastic to see the construction at Blackbird Leys moving along so well. We're looking forward to making these homes available from later this year and to continue with the improvements that will revitalise the District Centre, benefiting everyone in the community."

Tom Bridgman, Deputy Chief Executive – Place for Oxford City Council, said: "Topping out is a milestone in our partnership with Peabody, marking an important step towards the completion of the first new homes in the redevelopment of Blackbird Leys. We also hope to see a new Blackbird Leys Community Centre get planning permission in the coming months."

Greg Hill, Deputy Chief Executive of The Hill Group, commented: "It's been fantastic to host this topping out milestone at Blackbird Leys in Oxford - reaching the highest point of this 10-storey apartment building is truly a moment to celebrate. We have constructed the first phase of this project for our long-standing partners at Peabody with a fabric-first approach, putting sustainability at the forefront of this design. The project includes green spaces, cycle routes, and a community centre. We are now looking forward to completing these homes by summer 2027 so we can help Oxford City Council meet the large demand for high-quality affordable housing in the city."