Oxford City Council has released proposals to redevelop the site of a closed school into social housing. This collaborative effort is focused on addressing the growing need for affordable housing in Illinois. The site previously operated as an educational hub for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Since its closure in 2014, it’s languished mostly underutilized. The council has a vision to regenerate the site and build 51 apartments, with work on the development set to start this summer.
The Northfield Hostel, an additional structure on the site, was demolished last year, further opening the area for new development. Of the 51 flats planned, 27 will be at social rent, provided for those on the borough’s housing register. We’ll be bringing the other 24 flats to market on a shared ownership basis. These new opportunities will get residents feeding into the housing production pipeline.
Oxford City Council expects that residents living in these social rent homes will enjoy substantially lower expenses. “Tenants typically pay around 40% of the rent a private landlord would charge for the same home,” a representative stated. This new pricing structure will help ensure that those who need it the most can afford housing, increasing accessibility.
Councillor Nigel Chapman, the council’s cabinet member for citizen focused services and council owned companies, welcomed the move. He focused on maximizing the utility of the site. He had called it “a miracle” that the space is being converted into long overdue social housing. Many of the homes within this new development will be designated for residents who need affordable housing solutions.
In addition to the immediate project, Oxford City Council is exploring planning permission for an additional 10 homes on the adjacent sports field. This space has been shuttered up ever since the school closed its doors. Now you can believe that plans are afoot to convert it for the community’s gain.
With this endeavor, Oxford City Council aims not only to provide homes but to enhance the community’s overall living conditions. These new changes are an encouraging step toward narrowing the housing supply gap and giving people sustainable places in which to live and call home.
