Recent news items
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Breakthrough—as Jericho Wharf is bought by Worcester College 
This purchase of the adjacent Wharf makes good sense both from the community and College points of view, The Wharf site as drawn here also incorporates the Council-owned land in Dawson Place |
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Watch this space |
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Looking forward 
JWT Trustee David Edwards explains the twin-track process – pursuing both a negotiated sale and a compulsory purchase |
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We have to crack on 
Councillor Ed Turner’s patience is at an end |
The story in pictures
1870s - The canal was built to transport coal from the Midlands. Behind the church was a coalyard.
1899 - Ordnance Survey map of the area showing wharves behind the Church
1990s—After exit of hire boat company Orchard Cruisers, BW rent the site to Alchemy Boats for the Castlemill Boatyard
1990s - As well as repairing boats, the Castlemill Boatyard was used for boatbuilding - © Adrian Arbib
1990s - Boater owners were able to have their canalboats craned out of the water for repair - © Adrian Arbib
2003 - Bellway Homes took an option on the site, planning for high-density housing.
2003 - Bellway did not include a community centre. They were refused planning permission.
2005 - Local resident in Dawson Place which can provide part of the land for a new community centre
2006 - British Waterways forcibly clear the site for a new developer, Spring Residential - © Adrian Arbib
2006 - The result is a storm of bad publicity, local and national - © Adrian Arbib
2006—National press, including the Telegraph, cover BW’s threats to evict the boaters - © Adrian Arbib
2006 - The site is fenced off using razor wire for what is dubbed the new ‘wall of Jericho’ - © Adrian Arbib
2006 - Jericho school children protest against the closure of the boatyard.
2006 - Joshua appears. Although he does not blow Jericho’s wall down, at least the razor wire is removed.
2007 - Spring Residential, which has purchased the site, produces some unpopular plans.
2007 - A public meeting in St Barnabas Church discusses Spring’s proposals
2007—The meeting on Spring’s plans also sees alternative proposals drawn up by residents.
2008 - Spring’s appeal against the refusal of planning permission draws protester to the Town Hall.
2008 - Thanks in part to the strength of public feeling Spring lose their appeal.
2009 - Spring go into administration. The site is vacant, awaiting a community bid.
2013 - Annother investor, Chear Team, purchase the site and their developer SIAHAF works with the JWT on a much better proposal.
2013- Access to the square across the canal was initially indicated as an at-level lift or swing bridge
2014 - Local residents discuss SIAHAF plans at a consultation in St Barnabas Church
2015—West Area Planning Committee. SIAHAF represesntative Johnny Sandelson (standing, left) talks to JWT trustees
2017—JWT Trustee David Feeny explains the plans to local residents at the Jericho Street Fair
2017—The site remains locked while SIAHAF decides what to do
2020—In September 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
2022—In March Oxford City Planning Committee rejects Cornerstone’s application
2023 - Cornerstone win on appeal. Nevertheless landowners Cheer Team do not implement the permission and lease out the site as a builder’s yard
2025 - Time for the City to step in. JWT launches campaign for a Compulsory Purchase Order.
2025 - Protest banners pop up over the tattered hoardings
2026 - Landowner Cheer Team scraps plans to develop the site
2026—City Council Cabinet votes to intervene with the threat of a Compulsory Purchase Order