Milestone as work on housing development starts

Councillor Linda Smith said the scheme would be "a big boost for residents of Blackbird Leys”

Construction of new homes, retail space and community facilities has started.

Work on the development that will see 294 new rented and shared ownership homes built in Blackbird Leys, Oxford, began last week.

The joint scheme by Oxford City Council and developers Peabody will also see the old community centre taken down.

Councillor Linda Smith called it "a major milestone in the long history of this project".

The council approved the redevelopment in August, following more than four years of engagement with the Blackbird Leys community and more than 1,500 pieces of feedback from residents and stakeholders.

The plans include 294 homes across two sites in a bid to tackle the city's housing shortage.

The project’s contractor Hill has begun preparation work and will be hosting a Meet the Builder event on 31 January at Church of The Holy Family in Cuddesdon Way.

Ms Smith, member for housing, said the start of the construction was “a major milestone" and that reaching it had taken "more time and lots of hard work " due to difficulties in construction and property development.

She added the scheme would be "a big boost for residents of Blackbird Leys”.