Catalyst wins Oxford site as Aldwyck launches merger consultation

News08 Oct 2018Sarah Williams

Oxford City Council has chosen Catalyst Housing as the development partner for its sites at Blackbird Leys, which will feature a new district centre, community facilities and affordable homes.

The partnership follows feasibility work which highlighted the potential to develop the existing district centre, to provide community and retail facilities at Knights Road, and to develop 300 new homes.

Of these homes, 50 per cent will be affordable, including some for social rent.

The partners will now enter into a development agreement for the council-owned sites.

Catalyst, which is a member of the G15 group of leading London housing associations, will first lead a master planning process with the local community and stakeholders to shape the scheme and determine the investment required.

Following a planning application, it will then take the project into the delivery phase.

Linda Smith, Labour deputy leader of Oxford City Council, said: “In the first instance, they will start the process of engaging community and resident groups to determine the best ways to speak with the local community and make sure everyone is given a chance to be heard.

“We’d like to establish community and resident groups who will work with us and the development partner to contribute design ideas and inform this project.

“As the landlord to the retail tenants at the district centre, the council will lead the discussions with businesses as to their needs in the new development. We will also engage residential tenants and leaseholders in one-to-one meetings to understand their housing needs and ensure they are not adversely affected by any proposals.”

Rod Cahill, Catalyst chief executive, said: “Catalyst has a long history of working in Oxford. We already own and manage over 600 homes in Blackbird Leys and support a range of community initiatives, and are looking forward to using our regeneration skills and experience to provide new homes, shops and community facilities there.”

Posting on its website, Aldwyck told customers that the plans would see the smaller group join Catalyst in April 2019 and that the two associations would “eventually… seek to legally merge together to form one organisation”. This would allow the group to be more efficient, build more homes each year, and offer greater value for money, it said.

“We also believe we’ll be able to provide even more opportunities for you, our customers, to have your say on the services you receive, and to get involved in your communities,” the statement continued.

“The merged organisation would retain a regional structure to continue to provide a locally focused service.”