JERICHO WHARF NEWS ITEM

Developer says work could start this summer

Progress report in Oxford Mail

Posted - Jan 30, 2019

On January 29, In response to a query from the Oxford Mail, Nick Band, a spokesman for SIAHAF, the developer, said: “We are fully committed to developing this site and are pleased to say that we have reached an outline agreement with the trust on the revised detail of the scheme.”

Mr Band said he was hopeful work could start this summer and added: “We have made a few modifications to the original plan but the fundamental development remains the same. We hope to put the revised scheme back into planning very soon.”

The latest design would also feature a community centre with a cafe and nursery, but no restaurant and fewer new homes than previously planned.

Bruce Heagerty, Secretary of the Jericho Community Boatyard and trustee of the Jericho Wharf Trust, said: “The Jericho Community Boatyard is a constituent member of the Jericho Wharf Trust with whom we’ve been working, along with the owners of the wharf to design a new boatyard and community centre. “The negotiations have been mostly positive and constructive. After 13 years waiting for a replacement yard, we are very keen to see the new boatyard built. At present the nearest alternative boatyard is five miles upstream and not available to everyone.”

Oxford City council Head of Planning Services, Adrian Arnold, said: “We have been talking to the applicant about the development and are very keen to see the site redeveloped.”

The JWT will continue to do everything it can to ensure this unique site is developed in a way that meets the expressed needs of the Jericho and boating communities. The boatyard and the new community sport hall, cafe and pre-school are long overdue, in a part of the city which is woefully under-provided.

To see the Oxford Mail article please click HERE