Oxford to build hundreds more council homes

Oxford City Council is to add 354 new homes to its social housing register at a cost of £47.9m.

The authority has signed an agreement with developers to fund 354 affordable homes in a new planned neighbourhood in the Barton area, east of the city.

The new development will include 885 homes, a food store, primary school and community facilities, including a park.

Construction will begin later this year with the first homes transferred to the council in late 2016.

The homes are being built by Barton Oxford, a joint venture between Oxford City Council and Grosvenor Developments.

Councillor Scott Seamons, who is on the council's housing board, said the authority was planning more than 950 new council homes in the next decade.

"This agreement is an important step in realising those plans as it moves us closer to getting the flagship Barton development under way," he said.