A block of 12 new social rent homes has been officially opened in Princes Street off Cowley Road.
The apartments, developed by Oxford City Council’s wholly owned company OX Place and constructed by LIFE Build, provide six one-bedroom and six two-bedroom dwellings in a three-storey L-shaped block beside the newly redeveloped East Oxford Community Centre.
The homes were officially opened at a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by city councillors today (26th February).
Designed to meet Oxford’s local housing need, the Princes Street homes are available at social rent levels for people on the council’s housing register. In Oxford, social rent is typically 40% of what a private landlord would charge for the same home.
The apartments, built around a shared garden space, are designed with sustainability in mind. They share efficient features including excellent insulation and air tightness alongside all-electric heating powered by air source heat pumps. The scheme exceeded building regulations standards by 88%, resulting in a carbon reduction 48% greater than the Planning requirement. The blocks also feature rooftop solar photovoltaic panels supplying renewable electricity directly to individual flats, meaning residents can use a share of “free” renewable electricity during the day.
OX Place is leading Oxford City Council’s programme to deliver hundreds of high quality new affordable homes across the city, with a focus on sustainability, design quality and long-term affordability.
Councillor Linda Smith, Cabinet Member for Housing, Oxford City Council, commented:
“Oxford desperately needs more genuinely affordable homes, and Princes Street is a great example of how OX Place is delivering them across the city. Here on the Cowley Road, one of the most vibrant parts of the city, we’re providing high-quality social rent homes with community facilities, transport and shops on the doorstep.
“These homes are not only genuinely affordable but, like the brand new community centre next door, low carbon too. We’re helping residents reduce energy bills while supporting our climate ambitions. We’re strengthening the heart of one of Oxford’s most characterful neighbourhoods by building homes for local Oxford people to truly put down roots in the community.”
Roger Thompson, Managing Director of OX Place, commented:
“OX Place is proud to deliver a truly special new community in the centre of the Cowley Road. These are low carbon, high quality, new homes that demonstrate what’s possible when we build with people and the planet in mind.”
