PLANNING bosses could recommend a £20m overhaul of the Castle Mill boatyard even though it does not meet affordable housing targets.

Developer Strategic Iconic Assets Heritage Acquisition Fund (SIAHAF) said it plans to submit the Jericho scheme for the third time in the coming weeks.

The change would see the number of affordable homes rise from seven to nine out of a total 22, bringing the proportion of affordable housing up to 40 per cent.

That figure still falls short of Oxford City Council’s policy of 50 per cent, but SIAHAF chief executive Johnny Sandelson said Town Hall planning officers had indicated it would be high enough.

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It comes after a confidential report the city council commissioned with SIAHAF confirmed the developer’s claim that the scheme would be “unviable” if the 50 per cent social housing figure was upheld.

Mr Sandelson said: “The number is going to have to increase, but we are still negotiating the exact figures with the city council.”

Mr Sandelson said it was now hoped the revised scheme would be considered by the west area planning committee on January 13.

Redevelopment of the site would see a piazza created in front of St Barnabas Church, next to the Oxford Canal and bordered by a boatyard, community centre, cafe, pre-school, restaurant and homes.

However, changes to the plan to increase the level of affordable housing would mean SIAHAF’s contributions to other aspects of the scheme would be reduced, Mr Sandelson said.

The firm is in talks with community group the Jericho Wharf Trust (JWT), which is trying to negotiate a contribution to the multi-million pound community centre and boatyard facility.

Mr Sandelson said the amount to be given to the JWT was now likely to fall to about £500,000 from £750,000.

Peter Stalker, spokesman for the JWT, declined to comment on the progress of the talks or how any reduction in funding could affect the group.

But Jericho city councillor Susanna Pressel said: “I think 40 per cent might be enough if the other things needed for the site are provided.

“But [SIAHAF] should have been able to provide more housing in the first place. They knew what was required of the site when they bought it.”

Affordable housing is, however, not the only potential barrier to it, after the position of a proposed swing-bridge caused a new disagreement.

The Canal & River Trust (CRT) raised concerns earlier this year that its originally proposed position, in line with Cardigan Street, was “not practical or suitable” for safe navigation.

To address the concerns, SIAHAF resubmitted the plans in November and moved the bridge south to be in line with Great Clarendon Street.

But that has caused St Barnabas Church Parochial Council to object to the scheme.

In a letter to the city council, Father Jonathan Beswick wrote: “Without the bridge in the original position, the quality of life in the (piazza) is likely to suffer to an unacceptable degree.”

The city council did not respond to requests to comment.

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