Oxford: Thomas White Oxford (TWO) selects Hill Group as development partner

Thomas White Oxford, the development company of St John’s College, has selected Hill Group as the development partner for the first phase of new homes at Oxford North, the new life sciences district for Oxford which will include new laboratories and workspaces for biomedical science, new homes, public parks, hotel, nursery, small shops, cafes, restaurants and bars.

TWO was recently granted planning permission from Oxford City Council for outline consent for the overall 64-acre masterplan which will create 4,500 new science and technology jobs, housing for circa 1,500 people in 480 new homes, of which a minimum of 35% will be affordable, and 23 acres of open spaces including three new parks, and significant investment into the walking, cycling, bus and highway networks.

Hill has secured 8.64 acres (3.5 hectares) of land at Canalside, the west area of the site south of the A40, which will deliver the first phase of new homes, both market and affordable, for the new district in line with the masterplan, together with related infrastructure.

William Donger, director, TWO said: “We selected Hill as our development partner from a wide range of responses to our residential partner search due to their national housebuilder experience, knowledge of the local area and their strong sustainability credentials.

“They will be delivering the exciting first phase of new homes for the life sciences community which we will be curating. Hill will join TWO in the ongoing discussions with Oxford City Council for detailed planning permission to deliver the much-needed new homes at Oxford North at Canalside.”

Andy Hill, chief executive, Hill Group, said: “We are delighted to be joining Thomas White Oxford to deliver the new homes at Canalside at the new, landmark life sciences district of Oxford North. We bring 20 years’ experience in placemaking and residential development project delivery, combined with our local market knowledge and recent work at Mosaics, Oxford.”

Savills acted on behalf of Thomas White Oxford.

Further information about the project can be found by visiting www.oxfordnorth.com.