An anticipated date has been set for the demolition of a former hostel in Littlemore to build 51 affordable council homes.

Oxford City Council were given planning permission last year to redevelop the disused Northfield Hostel off Sandy Lane.

The building was previously used as residential accommodation for a special school but closed in 2014.

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In its place, the council will build two blocks containing 51 one-bed and two-bed flats. They will include 27 council homes let at social rent and 24 shared ownership homes.

The new homes will be developed for the council by its housing company OX Place, as well as Equans.

The current anticipated timescale is for demolition to take place in April or May before construction will start in October, although nothing is confirmed yet.

The construction is expected to take around 18 months – despite initial expectations it would take around 13 months.

A council spokesperson said: “Each new council home makes a small but life changing contribution to tackling inequality in Oxford.

“Even before the cost of living crisis, the cost of housing meant that nearly a third of our city’s children lived below the poverty line.

“Shared ownership also helps key workers onto the property ladder in a city they would otherwise be priced out of. OX Place is delivering the homes that Oxford badly needs.”

Outline planning permission has also been granted to build 10 houses on the adjacent former sports field. These will be marketed and developed separately by Oxfordshire County Council.