Oxford City Council to unlock 18,000 new homes with the EA

A partnership with Oxford City Council and the Environment Agency is set to secure 18,000 new homes while also maintaining high standards of environmental protection. 

This follows a government mission to boost growth and speed up the delivery of homes and investment for local communities, which has the potential to form the blueprint to unlock various projects up and down the country where ether right wastewater infrastructure is needed before development can go ahead.

Previously, the Environmental Agency had challenged planning applications for new housing over concerns about sewage treatment capacity posing a threat to water quality, but a scheme has been agreed between the Environmental Agency, Oxford City Council, and Thames Water. This ensures that the Sewage Treatment Works has the capacity needed to allow for development from 2027.

Experts at the Environmental Agency have ensured that Thames Water has a fully funded programme of work that can certify the protection of water quality, and communities in the area will have the water services they need.

Councillor Susan Brown, leader of Oxford City Council said: “I am delighted that the joint working between Oxford City Council and the EA has got us to this point. This is a great example of collaborative working to help solve a major issue for the city and the surrounding area.

“We look forward to receiving the EA’s letter, so we can determine our next steps as Local Planning Authority and work at pace to unlock the growth and new homes currently stalled across the city.”