THE entrepreneur behind £20m proposals to redevelop Jericho’s Castle Mill boatyard is confident the plans will be approved by Christmas.

Johnny Sandelson, chief executive of Strategic Iconic Assets Heritage Acquisition Fund (SIAHAF), said fresh discussions were under way to hammer out a deal on the plans.

“I am more confident now than I have been for many months,” said Mr Sandelson.

In an attempt to get them approved before the New Year, the firm has proposed legal agreements to guarantee community facilities in the scheme in exchange for the backing of residents It comes after months of uncertainty, when concerns were raised about the provision of social housing, the height and cost of a planned community centre, and the ownership of a public square.

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Mr Sandelson added: “Everyone is not going to get everything they want, but we are pulling together to put something across the line.

“In a few weeks we hope all these various bodies will have signed up to a legally binding agreement.”

The redevelopment would see a new public square created in front of St Barnabas Church, bordered by a boatyard, community centre, cafe, restaurant and luxury homes.

But the plans came under fire in July when it emerged that it would not meet the 50 per cent social housing policy of Oxford City Council.

English Heritage and St Barnabas Church’s parochial council also claimed the height of the community centre would spoil views of the church.

Mr Sandelson said SIAHAF has been negotiating with the Diocese of Oxford, the Canal and River Trust – which raised safety concerns about a proposed “swing bridge” – and the Jericho Wharf Trust.

All objected to the scheme during its public consultation in June, July and August.

The legal agreements SIAHAF is proposing would see it pledge funding to different parts of the plans, such as the community boatyard, piazza square, winding hole, bridge and alterations needed for St Barnabas Church.

Mr Sandelson said he was now also willing to pass the piazza square into the hands of residents’ group the Jericho Wharf Trust.

Trustees refused to back the plans in August unless SIAHAF promised to do so and also demanded the firm helped fund a new community centre.

They claimed the developer’s choice to locate the building above the boatyard facility would push up the price by £1.6m – to £6.6m.

But Mr Sandelson said he hoped to reach a deal with them.

He said: “We are ensuring that there is never a situation where we get the houses but the city does not get its benefits. It is a way of giving certainty.

“I can’t be specific, but all sides are trying to reach a settlement and I am confident we are going to get there. It is exciting to think that by Christmas we might have something to celebrate.”

Jericho Wharf Trust spokesman Peter Stalker said: “We are very pleased negotiations have started again and are hopeful that they can be successful. But there is still a lot of work to do.”

The plans are expected to be considered next month by Oxford City Council’s west area planning committee.


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