Foreword

Oxford is one of the most photographed, filmed and written about cities in the world. It has a world-class knowledge economy centred on two leading universities, a significant visitor economy with nine million visitors per year and retains a significant manufacturing sector with BMW MINI at its heart.

Demand for housing in Oxford significantly exceeds supply. Oxford is the least affordable UK city in terms of housing, outside of London, and owner-occupied housing is increasingly out of the reach of people on lower incomes. This puts severe strain on the social housing sector, with over five thousand households on the housing register, together with homelessness at over twice the national average.
 
Increasing the supply of market and affordable housing is a key Council priority that is reflected in the Council’s Corporate Plan and Local Development Framework Core Strategy (Submission Draft). Barton is the largest residential development opportunity in Oxford for many years, comprising 36 hectares (90 acres) owned by the Council. Notwithstanding challenging market conditions we believe that a large scale residential scheme at Barton, together with associated community facilities and wider regeneration benefits, taken forward on a joint venture basis is an attractive proposition in the market place.

We are looking for an experienced and innovative private sector partner (or partners) to join us on this exciting opportunity. The private sector partner will need to look at ways to maximise the delivery of infrastructure and housing in order to bring the land at Barton forward by December 2013. Bidders are requested to demonstrate a track record of delivery and innovation to demonstrate how the city council’s aspirations will be met.

Our ideal partner will be able to demonstrate a good track record and long term commitment to funding large scale projects of this nature and complexity.



Peter Sloman
Chief Executive
Oxford City Council