Savills secure outline consent secured for 800-home Water Eaton scheme

Outline consent secured for 800-home Water Eaton scheme

Savills, acting on behalf of Bellway Homes and Christ Church Oxford, has secured outline planning permission for a sustainable new community in Water Eaton, on the edge of Oxford.

The milestone consent establishes the principle for a mixed-use scheme of up to 800 homes, with 50 per cent affordable provision, alongside investment of over £24.6million in supporting infrastructure, to include a primary school, local centre and extensive public open space.

Bellway Homes acquired the site from Christ Church in 2022. Savills worked closely with both parties from the outset to shape plans in consultation with the local community and key stakeholders. The outline planning application was submitted to Cherwell District Council in 2023.

Located south of Oxford Parkway station in Cherwell District, the scheme is designed with sustainability in mind and will incorporate new pedestrian and cycle routes linking to Oxford and surrounding communities, as well as green infrastructure and play space. The development will enhance biodiversity on the land by more than 20 per cent and has been awarded a Building with Nature design accreditation.

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Paul Smits, managing director for Bellway Northern Home Counties, said: “This new community in Water Eaton has been designed to bring benefits to local residents and to the environment.

“This requires more than simply building homes. Our plans demonstrate how the foundations will be laid for a new neighbourhood featuring vast areas of parkland, orchards and play areas, a community area and school, as well as new housing, all connected by walkways and cycle paths to encourage green modes of travel.

“Wildlife habitats will be created and enhanced, while historic features such as the underground remains of historic barrows will be protected. The provision of up to 400 energy-efficient affordable homes, as well as the significant financial support for local services, will deliver tangible benefits to people living in this part of Oxfordshire.”

Rob Linnell, joint head of Savills Central Planning, said: “We are hugely proud of our work on this flagship scheme for Bellway. Water Eaton occupies one of the most important gateway sites in Oxford, and the breadth and depth of our consultation with the community and stakeholders was a vital part of shaping the proposals, ensuring the creation of a new and sustainable community of the highest quality.

“The consent also represents a significant step forward for the delivery of new housing and infrastructure within Cherwell’s Local Plan framework.”

Future timeline

Savills is now supporting Bellway through a series of reserved matters applications, with the first submission expected before the end of May. Construction is due to start before the end of 2026.