THE Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) has criticised the city council’s approach over Oxford North – and housing in general.

CPRE Oxfordshire director Helen Marshall said: “The city council says its priority is housing, but it continues to allocate sites for employment instead, thereby increasing pressure on green spaces and the green belt [The project says its plans no longer impact the green belt].

"Given that North Oxford is intended to generate over 4,500 jobs but only 480 houses, it is obvious that it is merely going to add to the pressure for local housing.

Oxford Mail:

“In such an over-heated market, even so-called ‘affordable housing’ will be completely out of reach of the majority of those in need. CPRE Oxfordshire believes that the best approach would be to release many of Oxford’s employment sites for housing and make sure that they are built out at a density suitable for city living.”

Giles Lewis, chairman of Begbroke and Yarnton Green Belt Campaign - who also chairs Cherwell Development Watch Alliance - echoed the position.

He said: “Oxford North should prioritise housing over job creation. Currently, all Oxford`s neighbouring district councils are scrambling to meet Oxford City’s ‘unmet housing needs’, seemingly at the cost of vital Green Belt land around the city.

“We have become deeply cynical about plans to include so-called affordable housing on developments. Early promises are very seldom delivered, and the social housing element – which should be at the top of local council’s agenda – is even scarcer.”

Local city councillor Angie Goff added: “Oxford lacks affordable housing, which Oxford North will not solve, despite using green belt land.

“Being so close to the new railway station, local residents feel that rather than help local people, North Oxford housing is more likely to attract commuters which will affect prices."