The Director of Economy, Regeneration and Sustainability submitted a report to seek project approval and delegations in relation to the affordable housing scheme at the Sandy Lane Recreation Ground, together with the relocation of football pitches and providing changing facilities and storage as set out in the report. The report also seeks approval to commence the process for the appropriation of the land from its current purpose (including recreation ground and open space) to a planning purpose, within the General Fund.  The report further notes the future intention, subject to separate decision of Full Council, to appropriate land from the General Fund (“GF”) to the Housing Revenue Account (“HRA”), prior to completion of the scheme.

Cabinet is recommended to:

1.    Grant project approval noting Full Council allocation of the £97,551,302 budget for this scheme within the Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme as part of its budget setting in February 2026, to fund the development of this scheme, as a proposed Housing Revenue Account (“HRA”) project, as set out in this report, within the allocated HRA capital budget and business plan, for the purpose of delivering more affordable housing in Oxford on the Sandy Lane Recreation Ground 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 scheme development within the identified budget, except where there is an existing officer delegation within the Council’s Constitution. Facilitating the scheme development includes the relocation of football pitches and providing a pavilion as set out in the report; 

3.    Agree to commence the process for the appropriation of this Site (as per the red line shown at para 12) to a planning purpose, following completion and handover of the replacement playing pitch facilities at Herschel Crescent and note the intention to bring forward a further report for Cabinet to consider the appropriation of the Site from recreation/open space purposes to planning purposes and the potential to rely on section 203 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 in the event of interference with private rights;  

4.    Note the intent to take a report to the Full Council seeking approval for the subsequent appropriation of the Site from the General Fund (GF) to the HRA (prior to practical completion of the scheme or delivery of the first phase, if delivery of the units is phased). 

Cabinet resolved to:

1.       Grant project approval noting Full Council allocation of the £97,551,302 budget for this scheme within the Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme as part of its budget setting in February 2026, to fund the development of this scheme, as a proposed Housing Revenue Account (“HRA”) project, as set out in this report, within the allocated HRA capital budget and business plan, for the purpose of delivering more affordable housing in Oxford on the Sandy Lane Recreation Ground 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 scheme development within the identified budget, except where there is an existing officer delegation within the Council’s Constitution. Facilitating the scheme development includes the relocation of football pitches and providing a pavilion as set out in the report; 

3.       Agree to commence the process for the appropriation of this Site (as per the red line shown at para 12) to a planning purpose, following completion and handover of the replacement playing pitch facilities at Herschel Crescent and note the intention to bring forward a further report for Cabinet to consider the appropriation of the Site from recreation/open space purposes to planning purposes and the potential to rely on section 203 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 in the event of interference with private rights;  

4.       Note the intent to take a report to the Full Council seeking approval for the subsequent appropriation of the Site from the General Fund (GF) to the HRA (prior to practical completion of the scheme or delivery of the first phase, if delivery of the units is phased). 

The Director of Economy, Regeneration and Sustainability had submitted a report to seek project approval and delegations in relation to the affordable housing scheme at the Sandy Lane Recreation Ground, together with the relocation of football pitches and providing changing facilities and storage as set out in the report. The report also seeks approval to commence the process for the appropriation of the land from its current purpose (including recreation ground and open space) to a planning purpose, within the General Fund.  The report further notes the future intention, subject to separate decision of Full Council, to appropriate land from the General Fund (“GF”) to the Housing Revenue Account (“HRA”), prior to completion of the scheme.

Councillor Linda Smith presented the report and said that this was a 100% affordable housing scheme. She said that they were not taking it lightly that they were building on recreation ground and that the football pitches would be re-provided. She said that they would not just re-provide the pitches but would provide the local clubs with improved facilities.

The Affordable Housing Supply Corporate Lead said that it was the most substantial delivery of affordable housing on a single site that they were bringing forward. He said that it would be directly agreed in the HRA, using OX Place as the development agent. He highlighted the benefits of the scheme, including the number of affordable homes, the number of new residents to be housed, and the knock on effect of allocating those homes. He said that the plan should improve housing for about 1200 people.

In response to a question from Councillor Arshad, Demi Russell, the Senior Housing Development Officer, said that it would take about six years for the whole development and that they were looking at a phased approach.

 Councillor Hollingsworth asked how the project would impact or align with the construction of the Cowley Branch Line.

The Senior Housing Development Officer said that they were working closely with the Cowley Branch Line team to coordinate with one another. She said that they were working closely together to make sure there were no negative impacts on the two projects.

Cabinet resolved to:

1.       Grant project approval noting Full Council allocation of the £97,551,302 budget for this scheme within the Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme as part of its budget setting in February 2026, to fund the development of this scheme, as a proposed Housing Revenue Account (“HRA”) project, as set out in this report, within the allocated HRA capital budget and business plan, for the purpose of delivering more affordable housing in Oxford on the Sandy Lane Recreation Ground 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 scheme development within the identified budget, except where there is an existing officer delegation within  ...  view the full minutes text for item 172