The Director of Economy, Regeneration and Sustainability submitted a report to Cabinet to seek project approval and delegations in relation to the affordable housing scheme at the former garage site on Harebell Road. The report seeks approval to commence the appropriation of land from the current purpose of garages to a planning purpose, within the General Fund.  The report also notes  the future intent to appropriate land from the General Fund (“GF”) to the Housing Revenue Account (“HRA”) where necessary, prior to completion of the scheme.

Cabinet is recommended to:

1.    Grant project approval noting Full Council allocation of the £863,000 budget for this scheme within the Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme as part of its budget setting in February 2026, to develop this scheme, as set out in this report, within the allocated Housing Revenue Account capital budget and business plan, for the purpose of delivering more affordable housing in Oxford on the Harebell Road former garage site;

2.    Delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive - City and Citizens’ Services in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing; the Group Finance Director/Section 151 Officer; and the Council’s Monitoring Officer, to enter into design and build contracts and any other necessary agreements  to facilitate the delivery of the scheme  within the identified budget, except where there is an existing officer delegation within the Council’s Constitution;

3.    Agree to commence the process for the appropriation of this site (as per the red line shown at para 5) to a planning purpose;

4.    Note the intent to take a report to the Full Council to approve the appropriation of land from the General Fund (GF) to the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) at a later date (prior to scheme completion).

Cabinet resolved to:

1.       Grant project approval noting Full Council allocation of the £863,000 budget for this scheme within the Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme as part of its budget setting in February 2026, to develop this scheme, as set out in this report, within the allocated Housing Revenue Account capital budget and business plan, for the purpose of delivering more affordable housing in Oxford on the Harebell Road former garage site;

2.       Delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive - City and Citizens’ Services in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing; the Group Finance Director/Section 151 Officer; and the Council’s Monitoring Officer, to enter into design and build contracts and any other necessary agreements  to facilitate the delivery of the scheme  within the identified budget, except where there is an existing officer delegation within the Council’s Constitution;

3.       Agree to commence the process for the appropriation of this site (as per the red line shown at para 5) to a planning purpose;

4.       Note the intent to take a report to the Full Council to approve the appropriation of land from the General Fund (GF) to the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) at a later date (prior to scheme completion).

The Director of Economy, Regeneration and Sustainability had submitted a report to Cabinet to seek project approval and delegations in relation to the affordable housing scheme at the former garage site on Harebell Road. The report seeks approval to commence the appropriation of land from the current purpose of garages to a planning purpose, within the General Fund.  The report also notes  the future intent to appropriate land from the General Fund (“GF”) to the Housing Revenue Account (“HRA”) where necessary, prior to completion of the scheme.

Councillor Smith presented the report. She said that she was very pleased to see this report come forward. She said it was very important for them to make use of these sites wherever possible, to address the city’s housing needs and to improve communities across the city. 

Anneri Gatial, Affordable Housing Supply Senior Programme Officer, said that they had completed demolition work on this site and others. She said they would like to work at pace to get this to development to get more affordable homes on the site. She said that four sites, along with this one, would be developed to make use of unutilised land.

Councillor Brown recognised that many of these sites were difficult to develop and thanked the team for their work in the direction of development.

Councillor Hollingsworth asked if they had planning permission for the site. The Affordable Housing Supply Senior Programme Officer said that they were taking the application to the Planning Committee in the next week.

Cabinet resolved to:

1.       Grant project approval noting Full Council allocation of the £863,000 budget for this scheme within the Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme as part of its budget setting in February 2026, to develop this scheme, as set out in this report, within the allocated Housing Revenue Account capital budget and business plan, for the purpose of delivering more affordable housing in Oxford on the Harebell Road former garage site;

2.       Delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive - City and Citizens’ Services in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing; the Group Finance Director/Section 151 Officer; and the Council’s Monitoring Officer, to enter into design and build contracts and any other necessary agreements  to facilitate the delivery of the scheme  within the identified budget, except where there is an existing officer delegation within the Council’s Constitution;

3.       Agree to commence the process for the appropriation of this site (as per the red line shown at para 5) to a planning purpose;

4.       Note the intent to take a report to the Full Council to approve the appropriation of land from the General Fund (GF) to the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) at a later date (prior to scheme completion).