PLANS to reinvigorate the centre of Blackbird Leys are finally getting into motion with a contractor set to be appointed in the New Year.

A series of ambitious changes including the creation of 190 new homes, a new community centre and shopping precinct were approved by Oxford City Council in 2015.

In January a perfect storm of unexpected funding problems led to the budget slashed from £8.6m to £6.2m and a lengthy hiatus - but that could be about to change.

Bob Price, the leader of Oxford City Council, said: "The council will be moving forward the development plans for the regeneration of Blackbird Leys in the New Year and is aiming to appoint a development partner in the spring. The broad plans have not changed and will include a new community centre and 190 homes as originally proposed.

"Further work on the plans will be developed in conjunction with them and the community in the late spring or summer, after which a planning application will be submitted."

In summer 2015 councillors backed 'Option B', an 'intermediate' redevelopment to spruce up the district centre and create new homes but falling short of redeveloping the Church of the Holy Family. A mixture of affordable and key worker housing is likely to be built, with flats replacing the maisonettes over Blackbird Leys Road.

Blackbird Leys Community Centre is set to be demolished and replaced with a more modern site that will house all of the current facilities.

Linda Smith, who represents the Blackbird Leys ward on the city council, said: "The whole community will benefit from the updated community centre. The current one has served its purpose very well but it's looking a bit tired now.

"We're looking at a real boost to affordable housing, key worker housing and a brighter district centre. We're lucky in Blackbird Leys: all the shops are used and we don't have any vacant units. It's about making sure that what we put in is suitable for existing businesses to move back into and, importantly, that they can afford it."

The flats over the Blackbird Leys Road shops could reach seven or eight storeys in places and Ms Smith said she hoped they would be earmarked for private rental.

She added: "I'm going to be really trying to make sure we don't repeat mistakes of the past and built flats at a great height we expect families to move into.

"I hope they would be for sale in the private sector or housing for single people or older people; tower blocks are not that popular with families."