Plans to redevelop a 15-acre site nestled between Oxpens Road and the river have been given approval by Oxford City Council’s Planning Committee.
This major redevelopment of one of Oxford’s largest remaining brownfield sites will deliver much-needed housing, with 50% classified as affordable. It will be the city centre’s largest housing development in generations.
The new riverside neighbourhood will also feature high-quality office and laboratory space, a hotel, and vibrant public areas, including an outdoor amphitheatre and a publicly accessible play space – in a highly sustainable location.
The scheme will be stitched into Oxford with new and improved walking and cycling routes.
The Oxpens project is led by OxWED, a joint venture between Oxford City Council and Nuffield College. It plays a key role in the broader regeneration of Oxford’s West End, attracting investment and driving improvements in the area.
Oxford City Council’s Planning Committee approved the planning application for the redevelopment on 21 January 2025.
Councillor Alex Hollingsworth, Cabinet Member Business, Culture and Inclusive Economy, said: “After years of land assembly, the redevelopment of Oxpens is an important step forward for Oxford, and we’re pleased it has been approved so it can advance to the next stage.
“This is a unique opportunity to redevelop one of the city’s largest remaining brownfield sites and the largest housing development site in the city centre for generations. It will transform the area and kick-start the wider regeneration of Oxford West End, helping it to realise its full potential.
“Oxpens will deliver much-needed housing, with 50% being affordable, provide high-quality office and laboratory space in a highly sustainable location for jobs, a new hotel and public spaces, including an outdoor amphitheatre, 750 sq m of publicly accessible playspace, and improved walking and cycling routes.
“The plans will create new opportunities for residents and businesses, supporting economic growth and helping to build a better future for our city.”
Responding to the Oxpens planning approval decision, Kevin Minns, Managing Director of OxWED, said: “We are absolutely thrilled that the Planning Committee voted in favour of the planning application this evening, which allows us to start work on how we realise our bold ambitions for the site.
“Oxpens is arguably the most important regeneration opportunity in the city today, and it has taken a lot of hard work by a large number of very talented people to get to this point. We would like to thank each of them – along with all of the stakeholders we consulted – for helping to realise these truly transformative proposals.
“This area of Oxford, with its rich history of community and industry, is now set for major regeneration bringing with it new homes, new jobs, new commercial space, fantastic public space and a whole new riverside neighbourhood for everyone in Oxford to enjoy.”
