Housing Minister tours Canalside Quarter new homes development in Oxford
Minister of State for Housing and Planning, Matthew Pennycook MP, has visited Canalside Quarter, the first residential phase of the new Oxford North innovation district. This visit follows the government’s latest announcement to help build the next generation of new towns across England, to help create the largest housebuilding programme since the post-war era.
Why Canalside Quater?
Developed by award-winning housebuilder The Hill Group, Canalside Quarter is providing much-needed sustainable homes in the centre of this key strategic location. As part of the Oxford North masterplan, it is set to become a key catalyst for unlocking future growth in the Oxford-Cambridge growth corridor, to support the government’s vision for housing, employment and investment in the region. Designed by visionary architects Pollard Thomas Edwards, this impressive collection of 317 energy-efficient homes, includes 111 affordable homes for Oxford City Council, through its housing company, OX Place.
Alongside new homes, the district will deliver world-class research space, parks and community amenities, creating a vibrant and sustainable neighbourhood and generating an estimated 4,500 new jobs to the local area. Its construction phase is already bringing local economic benefits including employment opportunities with 40 apprentices employed across the masterplan project since construction began. During his visit, Matthew Pennycook MP met apprentices, Jamie Conway and Charlie McPhee, who are currently training through The Hill Group at Canalside, and Finley Grady, an apprentice with subcontractor T&D Electrical. The visit, coinciding with National Apprenticeship Week 2025, highlighted the government's commitment to apprenticeships in construction, a key priority in addressing skills shortages and boosting economic growth. A new government announcement is set to give employers greater flexibility around apprenticeship requirements, potentially allowing 10,000 more people to qualify each year.
It was a real pleasure to visit the Canalside Quarter development and to see the contribution it will make to the emerging Oxford North innovation district. The government is backing housebuilders like The Hill Group to deliver more well-designed, sustainable, and attractive places for people to live and to expand and upskill our construction workforce as they do so. Through our Plan for Change we are accelerating the delivery of large housing sites across the country, as part of our efforts to build 1.5 million new homes and kickstart economic growth.
We are proud to show the Housing and Planning Minister the first homes at Oxford North, a landmark project that will help unlock future development in the region. This transformative district has the potential to play a crucial role in supporting the government’s vision for the Oxford-Cambridge growth corridor - by delivering high-quality homes alongside world-class research facilities and vital infrastructure. The Hill Group is perfectly placed to help support the government reach its ambitious target of delivering 1.5 million new homes during this parliament. We are excited about the opportunities with the new towns programme which will help to build thousands of new homes and hope to work together to deliver more transformative projects across the country that will revolutionise how communities live, work and interact with each other.
Canalside Quarter builds on The Hill Group’s strong reputation for creating vibrant communities in Oxford, following its successful developments, Mosaics at Barton Park and Newman Place in Littlemore. The project places a strong emphasis on sustainability, exceeding Oxford City Council’s progressive environmental targets. Energy-saving features include air-source heat pumps, photovoltaic panels, and living green roofs. As part of the wider Oxford North neighbourhood, Canalside Quarter will integrate extensive green spaces, a landscaped communal park and play areas. The development will also deliver key infrastructure improvements, promoting sustainable transport by foot, bike and bus connectivity. A network of pedestrian and cycle paths will encourage active lifestyles while enhancing accessibility across the development.
