Plans for more than 800 homes have been approved, with just under half set to be socially rented accommodation.

The next phase of the Barton Park development in Oxford was approved by Oxford City Council at a planning meeting on Tuesday evening (May 24).

The outline plans for the 865-home development were originally approved in 2013.

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The next phase of development will see the centre of Barton Park developed including space for local shops and the possibility of a supermarket.

Just under half of the development will be affordable, with 40 per cent of the 865 homes set to be socially rented accommodation.  

The Barton Park community is already taking shape. More than 200 households are already living on site, with a sports pavilion, sports pitch ad park already open. A primary school opened in 2020, serving families in Barton Park and neighbouring Barton.

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In 2013, it was decided that there will be parking spaces on site. However, in the council meeting residents and councillors raised concerns that the development will cause more congestion in Oxford.

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Mark Pett from Headington Heritage objected to the plans in the planning meeting and questioned why the council is not making this new estate car free and cycle friendly.

Mr Pett raised concerns that the development will allow for too many cars and restrictions on car parking should be implemented.

Councillor Jemima Hunt also objected to the development and said that Barton Park already has a “car problem” and this development would exacerbate it.

She said: “The idea that a car centric development is now going to be given the green light encouraging 865 families to bring cars to oxford just goes against everything we are currently trying to do.”

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However, councillor Lizzy diggings and councillor Nigel Chapman were pleased with the number of affordable homes and highlighted that it was decided in 2013 that car parking would be available.

Mr Chapman commended that all of the affordable homes on the site will be socially rented accommodation.  

He said: “It is all basic socially rented housing for our tenants of which 2,800 are still on the housing waiting list as we speak today.”

The plans for 865 homes at Barton Park have been approved with a condition to minimise any extra possibilities of parking.

Read more from this author

This story was written by Rebecca Whittaker, she joined the team in 2019 as a multimedia reporter.

Rebecca covers education and news in Abingdon and Wantage.

Get in touch with her by emailing: Rebecca.Whittaker@newquest.co.uk or calling 07824524333

Follow her on Twitter @RebecWhitt

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