The first residents are moving into Chestnut Tower in Blackbird Leys, where 61 new homes are being let at social rents through Oxford City Council’s housing register.
The nine-storey development includes one, two and three-bedroom apartments, with seven homes designed to be accessible for residents with mobility needs. Each property has its own balcony or garden.
The council says more than 40 per cent of the apartments are being allocated to existing council or housing association tenants who need to downsize or leave overcrowded accommodation. Their moves are expected to free up other social rent homes for households on the housing register.
Chestnut Tower is part of the wider Blackbird Leys regeneration programme, delivered through a partnership between Oxford City Council, housing association Peabody and The Hill Group.
New homes for people on Oxford’s housing register
Councillor Linda Smith, the council’s cabinet member for housing and communities, said the arrival of residents marked the point at which years of planning and construction were becoming homes for local people.
“There is a huge, growing need for genuinely affordable homes in our city, so it is fantastic to see 61 brand new social-rent homes being made available to people on our housing register.
“More than 40% of these new apartments are being let to existing tenants of the council or local housing associations who wish to downsize or who have been experiencing overcrowded conditions.”
She said those moves would, in turn, release other properties for people waiting for a social rent home in Oxford.
The council describes the new apartments as having modern, energy-efficient interiors, alongside their private outdoor space. The announcement does not provide energy ratings or estimated household bills.
At a glance: Chestnut Tower
| Location | Blackbird Leys, Oxford, beside Evenlode Tower |
| New homes | 61 apartments, all for social rent |
| Building | Nine storeys, with one, two and three-bedroom homes |
| Accessibility | Seven homes designed for residents with mobility needs |
| Outdoor space | A private balcony or garden for every home |
| Allocations | Through Oxford City Council’s housing register |
| Current stage | The first residents are moving in |
What does social rent mean for residents?
Oxford City Council says social rent is typically around 40 per cent of the rent a private landlord would charge for an equivalent property in the city.
That is a general comparison, rather than a published rent for a particular Chestnut Tower apartment. The announcement does not set out individual weekly rents or service charges.
All 61 homes in this building are for social rent. They are separate from the shared ownership properties being delivered elsewhere in the regeneration programme, where buyers purchase a share of a home and pay rent on the remaining share.
How Chestnut Tower fits into the Blackbird Leys regeneration
In its latest announcement, the council says the wider programme will provide 294 affordable homes: 174 for social rent and 120 for shared ownership. Chestnut Tower’s 61 apartments form part of that total.
The redevelopment covers the district centre, including the area around the ‘top shops’, and land between Knights Road and the Kassam Stadium. Alongside housing, it includes new shops, a community centre, improved public spaces and better walking and cycling routes.
The council’s published project timeline dates the first announcement to April 2019. Planning permission was secured in 2023, with work on the first homes beginning later that year.
Construction continues elsewhere in the neighbourhood. The council says more than half of the 84 shared ownership homes at The Aviary on Knights Road have been handed over.
Work is also under way on Cherry Tree Tower, which is expected to provide a further 51 social rent homes by the end of 2027.
The new community centre is under construction. Its published plans include halls of different sizes, a community kitchen, bookable rooms, offices and a community garden. An opening date is not given in the latest housing announcement.
Smith said the arrival of Chestnut Tower’s residents was an important step within that wider programme, rather than the completion of the regeneration.
“Seeing the first residents get their keys, the first bicycles being stored, and the first balconies being used, is a real, tangible sign that this transformation is happening, and that alongside our partners, we are delivering the homes Oxford needs.”
How to find out about social housing in Oxford
Chestnut Tower’s homes are being allocated through the city council’s housing register. The announcement does not say how many, if any, remain to be allocated.
People looking for social housing can check the council’s application and eligibility information. Applicants must meet the relevant requirements, and their priority is assessed according to housing need.
The council’s allocations guidance warns that demand is much higher than the number of properties becoming available. Joining the register does not guarantee a tenancy, and even households in significant need may face a lengthy wait.
Existing council or partner housing association tenants living in Oxford who need to move can use the separate transfer application route. Questions about housing applications can be directed to housingneeds@oxford.gov.uk.
Updates on the remaining homes, shops and community facilities are available on the Blackbird Leys regeneration website.
