A PREVIEW of 'desperately needed' homes planned for the centre of Blackbird Leys have been published, as a £21.5 million budget for the project has been suggested.

The Blackbird Leys Development Project sets out a plan to build new shops, offices, a 'village green', and affordable homes on the estate.

It has been in the works at Oxford City Council since 2017, and is due to be discussed by the council's cabinet on March 11.

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Ahead of the cabinet meeting, a secret discussion of the plans was held by the council's scrutiny committee on Tuesday, March 3.

The scrutiny committee decided to hold its meeting on the development in a private session because the scheme involves confidential financial information.

But a publicly available report for the cabinet on March 11 was also discussed by the scrutiny committee.

Oxford Mail:

Design drawings of what the new shops and flats in central Blackbird Leys might look like. Picture: Oxford City Council

Linda Smith, the council's cabinet member for leisure and housing, said: “The report going to cabinet on March 11 signals the council’s commitment to pressing ahead with the building of desperately needed new homes in Blackbird Leys along with replacement district centre shops, a modern community centre and significant improvements to the public realm."

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Linda Smith.

The report said the council wants to build a total of 287 homes in Blackbird Leys over two sites.

The first is the 'district centre' of the housing estate, which would see 203 affordable homes built.

Some of these would be rented at socially affordable rates, and some of them would be sold under shared ownership schemes.

New shops and offices would also be built at the district centre, as well as a new community centre.

Oxford Mail:

Marked in red: The areas of central Blackbird Leys which would be revamped under the plan. Picture: Google Maps.

The second site is at Knights Road on an area currently used as a playing field.

A total of 74 homes would be built there for sale at market rate, alongside 10 in shared ownership.

The report said 12 flats at the district centre would be demolished, leading to an overall gain of 275 new homes in Blackbird Leys.

Oxford Mail:

Marked in red: The Knights Road site which could become new Blackbird Leys Homes. Picture: Google Maps.

A timetable of the order which the work would take place in is also included.

Stage one of the work would include building all the houses, as well as the new shops and community centre.

Stage two would involve knocking down the 12 flats and shops, including the Blackbird Leys post office, but would only begin after the first stage is complete.

The report said the total cost of the scheme would be more than £100 million, but because of grants and other forms of funding available the council would need to provide less new money.

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To pay for the scheme, the report said a budget of £21.528 million from the council would be needed.

It is also working alongside housing association Catalyst, the 'development partner' on the project which is shouldering some of the cost.

Cabinet member Ms Smith added: "This report is about pinning down costs as best we can, and allocating the necessary funds to make it happen."

Two public events will take place on March 7 and 10 at Blackbird Leys Community Centre, where residents can see the plans so far and give their opinions.

Email bblregen@oxford.gov.uk for more information.