THE letter by Mr Dawe of the Oxford Green Party (June 9) presents simple solutions to Oxford’s housing crisis, but doesn’t consider the facts of the situation.

The letter called for a stepping up of development on brownfield sites and a crackdown on empty homes rather than a reconsideration of Oxfordshire’s Green Belt, as advocated by the independent planning inspector.

The realities are that the recent Strategic Housing Market Assessment identified a need for up to 32,000 new homes in Oxford by 2032, yet our identified development sites within the city’s current boundaries provide for barely 8,000 – two thirds of these are on brownfield sites in any case.

Of the 790 new homes developed in Oxford over the last three years over 75 per cent have been at brownfield sites — a performance that represents one of the highest rates of development on brownfield sites in the country.

Our performance on bringing empty homes back into use is similarly ahead of the curve and we have recently introduced new powers to go further. We are already leaving no stone unturned in pursuit of much-needed new homes.

While suggesting that we don’t need to look at an urban expansion may present short-term political advantage, the longer term consequences will be increased homelessness, rent and house prices continuing to spiral upwards, well ahead of wages and a city unable to meet the demands of its economic growth.

This is why we as a council continue to promote a review of the Green Belt surrounding the city; building on less than one-per cent of which could see our estimated needs fully met.

SCOTT SEAMONS (Cllr)
Board Member Housing and Estate Regeneration,
Oxford City Council

Today’s letters

Want to give your opinion? Email letters@oxfordmail.co.uk