Thomas White Oxford, the development company of St John’s College, has begun the search for a residential development partner to deliver up to 161 new homes at Eastside within Oxford North, the city’s flagship innovation district.
The 7.5-acre Eastside site, located off Woodstock Road in north Oxford, benefits from outline planning permission for up to 161 energy-efficient homes, with 50 per cent designated as affordable housing. The opportunity is being marketed by Savills.
Positioned within the wider Oxford North masterplan, the site offers what Thomas White Oxford describes as a significant opportunity to deliver high-quality homes in one of the UK’s most constrained and sought-after housing markets.
The chosen development partner will work closely with the landowner to bring forward a scheme aligned with local planning policy, sustainability objectives and community needs.
Victoria Collett, development director at Thomas White Oxford, said: “This is an exciting opportunity to partner with an experienced residential developer to deliver much-needed new homes in Oxford.
“With outline consent already secured through Oxford City Council and a strong emphasis on complementing the Oxford North masterplan, we are seeking a partner who shares our ambition for quality placemaking, sustainability and long-term value.”
Tim Watson, director at Savills, added: “On behalf of Thomas White Oxford we are inviting expressions of interest from suitably qualified residential developers with a proven track record in delivering mixed-tenure schemes, with a strong commitment to affordable housing delivery, design quality and social value.
“The outline consent provides clarity and certainty for prospective partners while allowing flexibility to shape the detailed design and delivery of the scheme as part of this incredible new place in Oxford.”
Thomas White Oxford secured outline planning permission in March 2021 for 480 homes at Oxford North, alongside one million sq ft of employment space, amenities and three public parks.
Later that spring, it appointed The Hill Group as residential development partner to deliver the first 319 homes in the Canalside Quarter. The one- to five-bedroom homes are now under construction, with the first residents already moved in.
In September 2025, Thomas White Oxford — through its commercial joint venture with Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan and Stanhope — completed and launched phase one of the innovation district.
This includes The Red Hall, a hub for start-ups and SMEs featuring co-working space, a 100-seat auditorium and an 80-seat Taylors café, alongside 1 & 2 Fallaize Street, which provide laboratory and workspace accommodation.
Public realm delivered as part of the first phase includes Fallaize Park, a new two-acre public park with children’s play facilities, a market square and timber cycle pavilion, as well as ‘Your planetary assembly’, a public art commission by Olafur Eliasson.
Phase two — comprising 472,503 sq ft of new laboratory and office space across three buildings — is expected to commence shortly.
Victoria Collett concluded: “Oxford North offers a rare opportunity to create homes in a location defined by innovation, connectivity and long-term economic strength.
“By building here, residential developers can deliver high-quality, sustainable homes that respond to genuine housing demand, support a thriving innovation ecosystem, and contribute to a balanced, inclusive new community that will endure for generations.”
Further information on the opportunity and partner selection process is available through Savills.
