Developers of the old Manor Ground site have confirmed work will begin early next year.

They had originally hoped to start on the £1.8m housing association project this year, but decided to push the date to January.

Nick Taylor, of developer GreenSquare, said: “It is most likely work on site will commence in January to minimise disruption to the community prior to the traditional two-week Christmas and New Year shut-down in the construction trade.”

A contractor, Newbury-based Feltham Construction, has been appointed and work is being carried out to make sure building can start soon.

Built on the site of Oxford United’s former home, the project is made up of 27 flats in two three-storey buildings.

The site ncludes The Manor Hospital built 10 years ago.

Beech Road resident Bob Clarke said: “It is good they have pushed it back. To make more traffic in Headington over Christmas would affect the businesses.

“The construction of The Manor Hospital caused a lot of disruption and I certainly don’t want a repeat of that.”