Image gallery

The Castlemill Boatyard, operated by Alchemy Boats, also sold supplies to boaters - © Adrian Arbib

Boater owners were able to have their canalboats craned out of the water for repair - © Adrian Arbib

As well as repairing boats, the Castlemill Boatyard was used for boatbuilding - © Adrian Arbib

In 2003, Bellway Homes took an option on the site, planning for high-density housing.

Bellway did not include a community centre. They were refused planning permission.

The Dawson Place garages site will provide part of the land for a new community centre

National press, including the Telegraph, cover BW’s threats to evict the boaters - © Adrian Arbib

In May 2006, BW forcibly clear the site for a new developer, Spring Residential - © Adrian Arbib

The result is a storm of bad publicity, local and national - © Adrian Arbib

The site is fenced off using razor wire for what is dubbed the new ‘wall of Jericho’ - © Adrian Arbib

Jericho school children protest against the closure of the boatyard.

Joshua appears. Although he does not blow Jericho’s wall down, at least the razor wire is removed.

In 2007 Spring Residential, which has purchased the site, produces some unpopular plans.

A public meeting in St Barnabas Church discusses Spring’s proposals

The meeting on Spring’s plans also sees alternative proposals drawn up by residents.

Spring’s appeal against the refusal of planning permission draws protester to the Town Hall.

Thanks in part to the strength of public feeling Spring lose their appeal.

In 2009 Spring go into administration. The site is vacant, awaiting a community bid.

In 2013, another Developer, SIAHAF, purchases the site and works with the JWT on a much better proposal.

Access to the square across the canal was initially indicated as an at-level lift or swing bridge

Local residents discuss SIAHAF plans at a consultation in St Barnabas Church, February 2014

February 2015 West Area Planning Committee. Developer Johnny Sandelson (standing, left) talks to JWT trustees

JWT Trustee David Feeny explains the plans to local residents at the 2017 Jericho Street Fair

2017—The site remains locked while SIAHAF decides what to do

In September 2020 the developer, now in the form of the Jericho Wharf Regeneration Company, partners with a local company, Cornerstone, and applies for planning permission for a two-phase development

March 2022—Oxford City Planning Committee rejects Cornerstone’s application