Progress continues with 112 affordable homes at
Oxford North
Two years after announcing the delivery of affordable homes in Oxford, senior members of Oxford City Council met with award-winning housebuilder, The Hill Group, to celebrate a key construction milestone at Oxford North’s Canalside Quarter development.
Regional Director at The Hill Group, Ryan Harris, staff and elected members from Oxford City Council, along with other colleagues, gathered to mark this halfway point in the project and view the impressive progress.
The development is on track to provide 112 much-needed affordable homes, including 90 council homes let at social rent for people on the housing register, and 22 shared-ownership homes, helping a range of people onto the housing ladder in the UK’s most unaffordable city. Completion is scheduled for 2026.
To commemorate this milestone, Hill and Oxford City Council joined forces to pour concrete into the final base slab of the apartment block, marking a pivotal moment in the construction journey.
Ryan Harris, Regional Director for the Western region at The Hill Group, comments: “Canalside at Oxford North is a landmark residential development for The Hill Group and Oxford, delivering a mix tenure scheme at scale which will provide homes for people who will work and live in Oxford, all contributing to the City’s economic growth and success. We are delighted to share this important milestone in partnership with the council, and we look forward to delivering 113 high quality, sustainable affordable homes over the next 24 months, which are crucial for addressing the housing crisis in Oxford.”
The affordable homes being delivered by Hill are the first of 317 energy-efficient new homes being built by Hill at Canalside. This initiative is crucial for addressing the housing crisis in Oxford, one of the most unaffordable places to live in the UK.
Councillor Linda Smith, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities at Oxford City Council, said: “We are proud to join our partners at The Hill Group to recognise this achievement and witness the significant progress on site. Providing sustainable, affordable homes is a key priority for the council, and these homes are a shining example of what can be accomplished.”
Homes at Canalside Quarter are designed with a strong emphasis on sustainability, surpassing Oxford City Council’s ambitious environmental targets with a range of low-carbon features. These include air-source heat pumps, photovoltaic panels, and living green roofs. The development also includes water-saving measures, electric car charging points, and ample cycle storage.
As part of the broader Oxford North development, Canalside Quarter is set to deliver a minimum 5% biodiversity net gain, ensuring both residents and wildlife can thrive in harmony. The homes are thoughtfully designed around a large landscaped communal park, complete with play areas, meadow grassland, and an activity lawn. The site will feature extensive tree planting with over 200 species planned, along with the introduction of a new orchard. Additionally, a comprehensive network of pedestrian and cycle paths will be integrated throughout the development, encouraging active lifestyles and sustainable transportation choices.
Homes designated for social rent will be open for bidding through the choice-based lettings scheme for individuals on the Oxford City Council housing register. For those interested in the shared ownership homes and to receive more information, please visit the OX Place website to register interest.
