Construction of 51 new affordable homes at the former Northfield Hostel site in Littlemore has reached a major milestone, with the two new apartment blocks now at their full height.
On 19th October 2026, Oxford City Council, OX Place, the wholly owned building company of the council, and contractor Equans marked the occasion with a topping out ceremony – a traditional construction milestone held when a building reaches its highest point and the main structural work is complete.
The development of 51 homes will provide 27 council homes for social rent for people on the city’s housing register, alongside 24 homes for shared ownership.
The two four-storey blocks have now reached their full height, with brickwork complete. Roof trusses have been installed and roofing works are now well under way.
Scaffolding is also beginning to come down as work on the outside of the buildings progresses, giving a first clear view of the finished design. The scaffolding is expected to be removed from the site by the end of October.
The development is being built on brownfield land formerly occupied by the Northfield Hostel. The site had stood unused since 2014 before work began to transform it into new homes.
All 51 homes will be highly energy efficient, well insulated with excellent air tightness, with solar panels incorporated into their design.
The Northfield development is expected to be completed in spring 2027, when the new homes will be ready for new residents.
The scheme forms part of Oxford City Council’s wider Affordable Housing Supply Programme, which aims to deliver 1,600 affordable homes across Oxford between 2025 and 2029, including at least 850 homes for social rent.
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Cllr Linda Smith, cabinet member for housing & communities, said: “Oxford needs homes, and we’re building them. It’s fantastic to see Northfield Gate reach this important milestone and to see these how these new affordable homes are taking shape.
“Northfield is a great example of how we can bring underused brownfield land back into use to provide much-needed affordable homes. More than half of the homes here will be council homes for social rent, while the shared ownership homes will help local people take their first step towards home ownership.
“There is still work to do before these homes are ready for residents, but brick by brick, we can really start to see this new neighbourhood taking shape.”
Cole Turner, regional director at Equans, said: “We’re pleased to mark this significant milestone alongside OX Place, supporting their ambitions to deliver much-needed affordable housing.
“Progress at Northfield reflects our strong partnership and the collaborative efforts of everyone involved, bringing us closer to delivering 51 high-quality, energy-efficient homes that meet local needs and support the council’s environmental goals.”
Image: Oxford City Council
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