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Media Coverage Item

Campaigners welcome action on ‘derelict’ wharf

Oxford Times January 22, 2026 writer Madeleine Evans

CAMPAIGNERS have welcomed Oxford City Council’s decision to take action on the “derelict” Jericho Wharf as a crucial step forward in its development.

A city councillor announced on Thursday of last week that the authority was “extremely frustrated” by the lack of progress on the site, which has been left undeveloped for more than 20 years, and said they will be seeking options on how to “intervene”.

Oneof these options is a Compulsory Purchase Order, a “last resort” for the city council but something which the Jericho Wharf Trust a group formed when the original boatyard on the site closed nearly three decades ago – has been pushing for since last year.

The order would allow Oxford City Council to take back control of the site from landowner Cheer Team, a Hong Kong-based company who has not begun work or filed new plans since the most recent planning application was approved in 2023.

Peter Stalker, a trustee of Jericho Wharf Trust, said in reaction to the council’s statement: “This is a very welcome statement from councillor Turner.

“The predictable lack of response fromthedeveloperhasonlyreinforced the case for the city to intervene decisively.

“The trust will continue to work alongside the council to take a Compulsory Purchase Order forward.”

Councillor Ed Turner, cabinet member for finance and asset management, earlier said: “The city council is extremely frustrated by the lack of progress on the site, despite, most recently, a planning permission being awarded in February 2023 after an appeal. “We know that the local community shares this frustration.” He confirmed thecouncil has been in talks with both Jericho Wharf Trust, and the landowner to bring forward a plan but “unfortunately, there has been no demonstrable progress over the last year”.

Mr Turner has also asked officers to bring forward a cabinet paper to “seek a steer on the city council’s options to intervene”.

Mr Stalker added: “This prominent brownfield location, has become an embarrassing eyesore.

“It has remained vacant for two decades, passing through multiple investors and seeing repeated speculative planning applications without progress.

“This prolonged dereliction has deprived the Jericho community and the wider city of a vital asset.

“The proposed local plan now provides clear, positive direction, stipulating that any future planning permission must be for a mixed-use development incorporating essential community amenities.

“These include a dedicated community centre, public open space, and a replacement operating boatyard.

“After 20 years of stagnation, the clarity in the proposed local plan is a crucial step forward.

Text reproduced by kind permission of the Oxford Times