Blackbird Leys: Construction begins on Oxford redevelopment

The council will submit a detailed planning submission for the new community centre and surrounding public space later in the year

A ground-breaking ceremony has marked the official start of construction on almost 300 new affordable homes, a public square and shops.

Oxford City Council and developer Peabody said work was now "well under way" on the Blackbird Leys district centre redevelopment.

A new community centre will also be built as part of work, with the old one already knocked down.

The council said the centre's glow tree sculpture had been put into storage.

A ground-breaking ceremony to start the construction was held last week

It said it would "return to its rightful home" outside the new community centre once the work was completed.

The redevelopment will see 294 new homes delivered in two phases and across two sites in a bid to tackle Oxford's housing shortage.

Preparation work, including the installation of hoardings and finalisation of planning agreements, began at the site in January.

Peabody and Oxford City Council said they would soon set out further information about how residents could get involved in the redevelopment project.

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