Jericho: latest canalside piazza plans are revealed

In May 2020 Cornerstone Land submitted a planning application for the development of residential homes, a community centre and boatyard, a piazza, ramped access to St Barnabas Church and works to the canal.

The city council refused the application in April last year, and Cornerstone's appeal has now been ruled successful by the Planning Inspectorate.

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The transformation of Jericho boatyard can now get underway.

Oliver Holland from Cornerstone Land said: "We are delighted by the Inspector’s decision to grant us planning permission.

"Our first step is to engage with our community partners.

“ We will engage with the diocese to finalise faculty approval for the Listed building works, and welcome a meeting with the Jericho Wharf Trust (JWT) to discuss their enabling role.

"We look forward to hearing their fundraising proposals to deliver elements of the community centre and boatyard. Alongside this we look forward to continuing our work with Oxford City Council and engagement with the local community.”

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The regeneration scheme will breathe life into a derelict site left unused for almost 30 years.

It will be an environmentally sustainable development and will deliver:

• 18 high quality, energy efficient new homes

• A new working boatyard with two dry docks, a wet dock, workshop facilities and laundry

• A new two-phase community centre with a café, pre-school facilities, sports halls, and meeting rooms

• A central piazza for the public to enjoy with improved access to St Barnabas Church and the canal frontage

• £655,000 financial contribution towards a new bridge

• 54 cycle spaces and 16 car parking spaces including two city car places

• A financial guarantee that any windfall profits will be shared with the community.

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Jericho Wharf Trust said planning inspector Benjamin Webb accepted that, as the JWT argued, Cornerstone’s had underestimated the housing revenue. 

However, he also believed that costs had risen since the planning committee’s decision and concluded that these changes would balance out, so there would still be no funds for affordable housing.

Jericho Wharf Trust chair Phyllis Starkey said: "We are naturally disappointed that the planning inspector did not uphold the city council’s refusal of permission.

"And if, as we anticipate, this development were to deliver excess profit, the uplift could be spent on affordable housing – but not in Jericho, as there is no other housing site available here.

Cornerstone could now go ahead with the development subject to a list of 21 conditions related to environmental requirements, and to operating plans for the boatyard and the community centre.

Jericho resident John Mair, who has organised numerous community events, said: "The planning inspector’s approval of the Cornerstone scheme is a once in a lifetime opportunity to get this scheme built.

"Let’s grab it with both hands and feet and all our imaginations."

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An Oxford City Council spokeswoman said: "The application was refused by the planning committee on grounds that the proposal had not demonstrated it could not afford to provide affordable housing as part of the scheme. 

"The developer lodged an appeal against this decision, and a hearing was held by the Planning Inspectorate. Having reviewed the viability work provided by all parties the inspectorate concluded it was unviable to require such a provision. The appeal was, therefore, allowed and permission granted by the Planning Inspectorate."

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This story was written by Andy Ffrench, he joined the team more than 20 years ago and now covers community news across Oxfordshire.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Andy.ffrench@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter @OxMailAndyF