A ceremonial groundbreaking has marked the start of construction on 80 fully affordable homes off Mill Lane in Old Marston, a scheme being delivered by OX Place for Oxford City Council and scheduled for completion towards the end of 2028.

The event on Thursday 18 June was attended by Oxford councillors including Councillor Linda Smith, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities. With trenches already dug and groundworks under way, the development will provide 32 homes for social rent and 48 through shared ownership.

OX Place, the council's housing company, will build a mix of two-, three- and four-bedroom houses alongside one-bedroom apartments.

Designed to reflect the character of Old Marston and its Conservation Area, the homes will feature light brick and stone façades, red and grey tiled roofs, timber weatherboarding and modest dormer windows. Front gardens framed by low stone walls and hedgerows, together with cottage-style planting, are intended to help the neighbourhood blend naturally into its surroundings.

New pedestrian and cycle links will connect the site to Cumberlege Close and the wider public rights of way network. A green area along the western edge will create accessible public open space with countryside views and natural play areas for residents and the wider community.

-- Advertisement --

A low-carbon, fabric-first approach will reduce heat loss and energy demand, with high levels of insulation and air-tightness and solar PV panels providing free electricity to all homes. Houses will be heated by air source heat pumps, while apartments will use heat pumps for hot water.

Sustainable drainage measures include an attenuation pond, permeable paving and swales to manage surface water, improving resilience to extreme weather and enhancing biodiversity. Planting will feature wildflower meadows, flowering lawns and wetland habitats to support wildlife.

Construction is expected to take just over two years, with all homes due to complete towards the end of 2028.

All the new homes will be affordable: properties for social rent, where residents typically pay around 40% of local private rents, and shared ownership homes offering a route onto the housing ladder in one of the UK's most unaffordable cities.

Cllr Linda Smith, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities at Oxford City Council, said: "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."

Roger Thompson, Managing Director of OX Place, said: "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."