The priorities have included establishing Oxford University Development Limited (OUD), the joint venture company that will be a key part of the University’s plans to create at least 1,000 new graduate accommodation units and at least 1,000 more staff homes over the coming years, as well as innovation districts at strategically important sites such as Osney Mead.
OUD appointed an interim CEO at the end of November and will be moving into new offices leased from the University at 6 Worcester Street in March 2020. OUD will design each project in line with the University’s requirements and oversee construction.
The Planning & Housing Strategy team is led by Director of Asset & Space Management, Iain Critchlow, and comprises specialists from within Estates and colleagues from the Finance Division, Legal Services Office and with input from colleagues from across UAS. The team has been putting financial and legal processes in place and developing quality standards and strategic briefs for the initial sites. The hope is to be able to announce the first graduate accommodation project before Easter.
In the meantime, team members are committed to involving staff, as well as students and the local community, in our development plans. They began a long consultation with staff in late 2019 about a draft staff housing allocation proposal, which will be continuing over the next several months.
The team will be publishing much more information about the housing and innovation district programme on the University website as plans progress – look out for details.
If you have any queries in the meantime, please contact the Planning & Housing Strategy team at housingandinnovation@admin.ox.ac.uk.
