IT is a world away from the first 150 houses built in 1934 for the increasing number of motor industry workers in Cowley.

But today Oxford’s Rose Hill estate marks the next step in its history as the last family moves into its new £20m development.

Now people on the estate say the future is looking rosy as the builders move out after finishing the four-year project which saw 117 crumbling homes replaced with 254 new ones.

Deputy council leader and Rose Hill councillor Ed Turner said: “These are incredibly exciting times for Rose Hill, with the new buildings having had an enormous effect to our estate.

“I’m sure the community will pull together and Rose Hill will continue to go from strength to strength in the future.”

Rose Hill Children’s Centre worker Nasira Jmil, of Desborough Crescent, said: “We are working on bringing the community together.

“It’s nice to see new people moving in. We are hoping for more events here so that everyone can can get to know each other.”

Outline planning permission was granted in 2005 and Taylor Wimpey was chosen as the contractor, allowing the project to get under way in February 2008.

The regeneration project has increased the estate’s population by an estimated five to 10 per cent and residents are now looking forward to creating a new community spirit.

To meet the housing need after the war pre-fabs, Orlit, Minnox and Howard homes were built, some of which were later replaced by Glen Lyons bungalows.

By 1947 there were more than 2,000 homes grouped near to and around the Oval.The factory-built homes were never expected to last and by 2007 their state of disrepair had reached crisis point.

Mr Turner added: “The pressing need was that there were over 100 Orlit houses that were becoming structurally unsound.

“In some cases doors didn’t fit door frames and they were draughty for people. We weren’t allowed to re-let them on a permanent contract.”

He said many of the houses were boarded up and had a negative effect on the area.

Mr Turner said: “The population was more transient because the houses couldn’t be let permanently.

“The school was suffering from a lack of pupil numbers.”

The council struck a deal with Oxford Citizens’ Housing Association (OCHA) to replace the Orlit housing with new build properties.

Andy Sumser, OCHA project manager, said: “The new properties are easier to maintain, warmer and cheaper to heat which will be of real benefit to the new residents.”

The demographics of the estate have also changed over the years. Rose Hill Primary School has pupils from 16 different ethnic groups.

OCHA Rose Hill community worker Fran Gardner said: “I work with the African women’s group, the Asian women’s group, the Arabic speaking women’s group, the Swahili speaking women’s group, the Nepalese community, the Polish community, the Somalian community and the Sudanese community.”

The effect of the development has also been seen at Rose Hill Primary School, which has seen rising numbers of pupils.

* To celebrate a new chapter in the estate’s history, a cultural food festival paid for by a grant from the Big Lottery Fund will be held on Friday, March 30, at the Rose Hill Community Centre.