Recent news items
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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 |
Breakthrough—as Jericho Wharf is bought by Worcestor College
Faced with a compulsory purchase, Hong Kong landowners sell derelict site
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
Posted July 24 2026
The news that Worcester College has acquired the Jericho Wharf site from its Hong Kong-based owner Cheer Team, has been greeted with enthusiasm by the Jericho Wharf Trust (JWT), the body representing local groups campaigning for community-led development of this long-contested site.
David Edwards at the locked gates of the site. Photo: Maggie Black
This follows 18 months with the Trust working with the College and the City Council to the release of the site for development and the end of 20 years dereliction.
‘We are delighted,’ said JWT trustee David Edwards. ‘For the first time since 2013, when the derelict boatyard site was bought by Cheer Team, there is real hope it will be developed in the joint interests of its owner and of the people of Jericho’.
During the 13 years of its ownership by Cheer Team, the site became progressively more derelict. A catalogue of planning applications, appeals, permissions and then failure to build once permission was granted, showed a lack of commitment from Cheer Team. In December 2024, the JWT began to campaign for the City Council to reclaim the site by Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO). On March 18th 2026, the Council Cabinet initiated the CPO process, with Deputy Leader Ed Turner declaring that ‘Our patience is at an end’. This signalled to Cheer Team that further delay or obfuscation would gain them nothing. They subsequently decided to sell.
The Trust will be working with the College to bring forward proposals for the redevelopment of the site – including a new community centre, boatyard and public square with provision for a new canal crossing.
Our next step will be to initiate a process of community consultation. The people of Jericho and of Oxford as a whole, having lived so long with promises and retractions over the site, need an opportunity to express their views.
The College with the Trust will be arranging a public meeting later this year to discuss the next steps.
The Jericho Wharf Trust is responsible for all aspects of the campaign to develop the Jericho Wharf canalside site in Oxford on behalf of the community.
For a visual presentation of the Jericho Wharf story so far, please click HERE
