Oxford Blackbird Leys regeneration and 'reputation' reaction

Blackbird Leys in Oxford is currently undergoing a regeneration with plans focussed on addressing the city's housing shortage by building 294 homes across two new key sites.

Construction is due to begin on the development, following four years of engagement with the community and more than 1,500 pieces of feedback.

READ MORE: Blackbird Leys' redevelopment to begin with plans for homes

Brewers Decorator Centres branch manager, Ben Steptoe, who has worked in Blackbird Leys for six months but does not live in the area, said of the ward: "It's got a slight reputation of not being the nicest place to live but at the end of the day that's only where you can afford.

Blackbird Leys District Centre Block A. (Image: Oxford City Council)

"Some people don't like change but at the end of the day we're overpopulated as a country and people have got to live somewhere."

He added: "There's a lot of social housing in and around Blackbird Leys so it's not going to change too much, it will just be more up to date."

City cabinet member for housing, Linda Smith, said: "Blackbird Leys is Oxford's biggest council estate and much of the negativity about it's reputation is poorly concealed snobbery about council housing and council tenants.

"As someone who grew up on another of our city's post war peripheral council estates I have no time for this, it sickens me and I have no hesitation calling it out."

Councillor Linda Smith. (Image: Contribution.)

Ms Smith also shared her thoughts on development in the area: "The residential element of this scheme is all about meeting local demand for housing.

"All 294 new homes will be affordable housing.

"The 84 new homes being built on Knights Rd will all be available for shared ownership.

"In the district centre there will be a further 36 homes for shared ownership and most importantly 174 new homes for local households on the council's housing list."

Senior analyst at Centre for Cities, Anthony Breach, said: "Oxford is the least affordable city in the country.

Senior analyst, Anthony Breach. (Image: Anthony Breach.)

"It has the worst housing shortage of any urban area.

"Development tends to get delivered in pockets of high density."

Mr Breach added that transport links were important in areas with more housing.

He suggested Oxford might want to take a leaf out of Cambridge's book as its counterpart had "built far more housing than Oxford over the years" and was "now distinctly more affordable on a whole bunch of metrics".

County council cabinet member for infrastructure and development strategy, Judy Roberts, was asked about decisions to built housing in more typically "deprived" areas.

She suggested that a lot of the "regeneration" of areas was cyclical, with development playing a part in making the area more trendy.

City council cabinet member for planning and healthier communities, Louise Upton, added: "We desperately need more social housing and council housing."

Councillor Louise Upton. (Image: Oxford City Council.)

She said of Blackbird Leys: "It should end up being a really lovely neighbourhood."

Blackbird Leys is a civil parish and ward that was built mainly in the 1950s and 1960s to meet the then pressing need for housing.

Ms Smith concluded: "The sense of community is stronger than anywhere else in Oxford with thriving groups and organisations providing activities and opportunities for residents of all ages.

"It has brilliant parks and open spaces, a library and a great leisure centre."