Kevin's got grand designs on Oxford (From Oxford Mail)

Kevin's got grand designs on Oxford

9:30am Friday 11th March 2011 in News By Chris Buratta

TV PROPERTY and design guru Kevin McCloud is to use his flair for design to build affordable housing in Oxford.

The Channel Four presenter will spearhead a new £18m eco-development of more than 100 homes at three city council-owned sites in Cowley and Northway.

And, as part of the project, the dilapidated Northway Community Centre and the long-demolished Cowley Community Centre will be rebuilt.

The regeneration scheme, which will begin next year, has been drawn up by Oxford City Council. It is one of only three developments being headed by by Mr McCloud, who is best known for fronting the TV show Grand Designs, which showcases innovative and unusual house builds. The other developments are in Swindon, and Stroud.

Mr McCloud said: “This is an intelligent approach to regeneration that reflects the vision of a forward-looking city with ambitious plans for its communities.

“Many of the initiatives that are key to successful, sustainable communities – car clubs, food collectives, sustainable infrastructure – can only be delivered when councils and communities work together to introduce change.”

Oxford City Council will give the land at Northway and Cowley to housing association Green Square Group.

The project will be carried out by Hab Oakus, a joint venture between the housing association and Mr McCloud’s Hab development company. In exchange for the land, Hab Oakus will rebuild ageing community and sports facilities.

It will also build 109 flats and houses, with more than 50 per cent designated as affordable, aimed at tackling the city’s chronic housing shortage. A small number will be available to buy.

The deal will also allow the cash-strapped council to write off the £85,000 maintenance backlog that hangs over the current Northway Centre.

A third site, at Westlands Drive in Northway that houses the charity furniture store Emmaus, is also included in the scheme.

A new shop for the charity will be created on the Cowley site, funded by Emmaus.

Councillor Antonia Bance said: “This innovative project means that much needed affordable housing gets built in the city as well as community facilities for the residents and a new facility in a much better location for Emmaus.”

The new Northway Centre will include a sports hall, community cafe and a food growing area.

Margaret Gray, 82, who attends the seniors’ lunch club at the centre, said the estate needed more facilities.

“It will be alright if they can offer more activities,” she said.