Progress on delivering much-needed affordable housing in one of the UK's least affordable cities took a major step forward this week, as Oxford City Council and The Hill Group celebrated a key construction milestone at the Canalside Quarter of the Oxford North development.

Senior councillors and representatives from award-winning housebuilder The Hill Group gathered on site to mark the halfway point in the construction of 112 affordable homes, set for completion in 2026. The milestone was commemorated with the pouring of concrete into the final base slab of one of the apartment blocks — a symbolic moment highlighting the rapid pace of the development.

The Canalside Quarter project will provide 90 council homes available for social rent to those on Oxford’s housing register, along with 22 shared-ownership homes to support local residents onto the property ladder. The new homes are part of a broader 317-home scheme led by The Hill Group and represent a significant contribution to tackling Oxford’s acute housing affordability crisis.

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Ryan Harris, Regional Director for the Western region at The Hill Group, said: "Canalside at Oxford North is a landmark development, delivering a mixed-tenure scheme at scale. It will provide homes for the people who live and work in Oxford and play a role in driving the city’s economic success. We’re proud to be delivering 113 sustainable, affordable homes in partnership with the council over the next two years."

Councillor Linda Smith, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities at Oxford City Council, added: "These homes are a shining example of what can be accomplished through partnership. Sustainable, affordable housing remains a top priority for us, and the progress here at Canalside Quarter reflects that commitment."

Beyond affordability, the homes are designed to meet ambitious environmental goals, featuring air-source heat pumps, solar photovoltaic panels, living green roofs, and other low-carbon technologies. Electric vehicle charging points, water-saving systems, and generous cycle storage will also be incorporated.

The Canalside development is part of the wider Oxford North regeneration project and includes a landscaped communal park, children's play areas, meadow grassland, and an activity lawn. The plan includes the planting of over 200 trees, the creation of a new orchard, and a network of pedestrian and cycle paths aimed at promoting sustainable living and biodiversity. A minimum 5% biodiversity net gain is targeted to ensure a thriving environment for both residents and local wildlife.