The Head of Housing Services has submitted a report to seek further project approvals and delegations to enable the continued delivery of more affordable housing in Oxford.

Cabinet is recommended to:

1.    Grant project approval for the continued acquisition of affordable dwellings developed by OCHL for which budgetary provision has been made in the Council’s Housing Revenue Account in respect of:

(ii)            Railway Lane, Littlemore (referenced in paragraphs 3 to 10 of the report) and

(iii)           Marston Paddock, Butts Lane, Old Marston (referenced in paragraphs 11 to 17 of the report);

2.   Delegate authority to the Executive Director (Development), in consultation with the Head of Law and Governance, to approve and facilitate the license to occupy and develop the council owned site in order to facilitate the development within this project approval for Railway Lane, Littlemore; and

3.   Delegate authority to the Executive Director (Development),in consultation with the Executive Director (Communities and People), the Cabinet Member for Housing, the Head of Financial Services/ Section 151 Officer and the Head of Law and Governance,to enter into agreements and facilitate the agreed purchase by the Council of these developments, with all the affordable housing units from OCHL to be held in the HRA,within this project approval for the Railway Lane and Marston Paddock sites.

Councillor Linda Smith, Cabinet Member for Housing, introduced a report to seek further project approvals and delegations to enable the continued development, and purchase into the Housing Revenue Account, of more affordable housing in Oxford at sites at Railway Lane in Littlemore and Marston Paddock in Old Marston.

It was noted that both sites had received planning permission.  At Railway Lane permission for 90 homes - of which 100% were to be affordable housing and at least 50% of these for social rent - had been granted, with construction anticipated to start next summer.  Permission for 40 homes had been granted for Marston Paddock, of which 50% were to be affordable; however, once purchased by the Council into the HRA the intention was for all 40 properties to be converted to affordable housing (21 for social rent and 19 for shared ownership).  All of the properties at both sites would be high quality, all-electric and with high thermal efficiency.  There would also be a mix of units in terms of size, with some much needed larger properties (4- and 5- bedroomed) to be provided, as well as 12 homes which were adapted for wheelchair users.  The units would be delivered in partnership with developers, marking an evolution in terms of the method of delivery of affordable housing by the Council.

Cabinet resolved to:

1.    Grant project approval for the continued acquisition of affordable dwellings developed by OCHL for which budgetary provision has been made in the Council’s Housing Revenue Account in respect of:

(i)            Railway Lane, Littlemore (referenced in paragraphs 3 to 10 of the report) and

(ii)          Marston Paddock, Butts Lane, Old Marston (referenced in paragraphs 11 to 17 of the report);

2.   Delegate authority to the Executive Director (Development), in consultation with the Head of Law and Governance, to approve and facilitate the license to occupy and develop the council owned site in order to facilitate the development within this project approval for Railway Lane, Littlemore; and

3.   Delegate authority to the Executive Director (Development),in consultation with the Executive Director (Communities and People), the Cabinet Member for Housing, the Head of Financial Services/ Section 151 Officer and the Head of Law and Governance,to enter into agreements and facilitate the agreed purchase by the Council of these developments, with all the affordable housing units from OCHL to be held in the HRA,within this project approval for the Railway Lane and Marston Paddock sites.