Plans submitted for 16 council flats at former Northway children’s home

A derelict former children’s home in Northway could be demolished and replaced with 16 one-bedroom council flats under plans submitted by Oxford City Council.

Oxford City Council has submitted a full planning application to bring the former Maltfield House site back into use as social housing.

The application seeks permission to demolish the existing building at 26 Maltfield Road and construct 16 one-bedroom apartments.

All of the proposed homes would be council housing let at social-rent levels to eligible applicants through Oxford’s housing register.

The plans also include new landscaping, cycle and bin storage and other associated works around the site.

What is proposed at Maltfield House?

The former children’s home would be replaced with a purpose-built residential development containing 16 self-contained one-bedroom homes.

The council says the scheme will use an all-electric approach and low-carbon technologies, with the homes designed to be energy efficient, accessible and integrated into the surrounding Northway neighbourhood.

The planning application is supported by a detailed package of technical documents covering matters including energy use, overheating, transport, ecology, trees, drainage, daylight and sunlight.

Proposed cycle storage, waste facilities and landscaping will also be considered as part of the planning assessment.

The application has not yet been approved. Planning officers will assess the design and supporting evidence, consultation responses and the effect of the development on neighbouring homes, roads, trees, wildlife and the wider area before reaching a decision.

Former children’s home has stood empty since 2020

Maltfield House was previously operated as a children’s home and remained in use until 2020.

The building has since stood empty and is described by the council as derelict.

Oxford City Council approved the purchase of the property from Oxfordshire County Council for £500,000 in December 2024, bringing the site into its Housing Revenue Account for redevelopment as affordable housing.

In November 2025, the council authorised a fixed £2,811,423 demolition, design and build contract with Kidlington-based Kingerlee.

Kingerlee is also named as the applicant on the new planning application, with planning consultancy Edgars acting as agent.

The construction contract and land purchase are separate financial approvals. They should not be added together and described as the final cost of the scheme, as other design, professional, programme and contingency costs may be accounted for separately.

Why the homes matter for Oxford

The 16 flats would provide permanent social-rent housing in a city where demand substantially exceeds the number of homes becoming available.

Oxford City Council’s latest published allocations information says more than 3,800 households are on the Oxford Register for Affordable Housing.

By comparison, around 530 social housing properties were expected to become available for letting during 2025/26. The council warns that even households assessed as being in high housing need may wait several years for a suitable property.

Pressure is also growing on temporary accommodation. The number of households requiring temporary housing in Oxford increased from 116 in March 2023 to 309 in November 2025, according to the council.

The proposed 16 homes are modest when compared with the scale of demand, but would turn a vacant public-sector site into permanent housing rather than temporary or nightly paid accommodation.

Oxford City Council says the development will help house people on its register and reduce pressure on homelessness services.

What does social rent mean?

Social rent is calculated using a government formula that takes account of a property’s size and value and average regional income.

Oxford City Council says social rent in the city is typically around 40% of the amount a private landlord would charge for an equivalent home.

This is different from the broader official definition of affordable rent, which can be set at up to 80% of the market rate.

The council says all 16 Maltfield House homes are intended to be let at the lower social-rent level.

Part of a wider council housing programme

The Maltfield House development forms part of Oxford City Council’s Affordable Housing Supply Programme.

The council says its longer-term ambition is to deliver 2,000 homes during the next decade, with more than half expected to be council housing.

Its current affordable housing programme also operates with a rolling four-year target of 1,600 affordable homes, delivered through direct council development, its housing company, acquisitions and partnerships with housing associations and other providers.

Maltfield House is being delivered directly through the Housing Revenue Account, the ring-fenced account used to manage council housing income and expenditure.

Councillor Linda Smith, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, described submission of the application as “another important step” towards providing energy-efficient homes for social rent.

Darren Arekion, Managing Director of Kingerlee Partnerships, said the application represented a significant project milestone and that the company looked forward to progressing towards planning approval and delivery.

How residents can comment on the application

Residents can view the plans and supporting documents through Oxford City Council’s online planning register by searching for application reference 26/01928/FUL.

The current consultation deadline is Monday 21 September.

Comments should relate to material planning considerations. These can include:

• the appearance, height, scale and bulk of the proposed building;
• effects on neighbouring daylight, sunlight and privacy;
• traffic, road access, parking and highway safety;
• noise and other effects on residential amenity;
• landscaping, trees, ecology and drainage; and
• the design and accessibility of the development.

Issues such as changes to private property values, competition between businesses, private boundary disputes and loss of a private view cannot normally be considered when deciding a planning application.

Comments submitted through the planning system will normally be made publicly available. The council requires the commenter’s full name and address for the representation to be formally taken into account.

The plans and consultation page can be accessed at public.oxford.gov.uk under reference 26/01928/FUL.

What happens next?

The planning register currently lists the application for an expected delegated decision, meaning it is presently expected to be determined by planning officers rather than at a planning committee meeting.

That position may change during the assessment process, depending on the application, consultation responses and council procedures.

The current target determination date is 16 November, but this is an administrative target rather than a guaranteed decision date.

If permission is granted, Kingerlee will be able to move towards demolition and construction in accordance with the approved plans and any planning conditions.

The council is currently working towards completion in 2028.

FAQs

Where is Maltfield House?

Maltfield House is at 26 Maltfield Road in Northway, Oxford, OX3 9RQ.

What is being proposed?

The council is seeking permission to demolish the former children’s home and build 16 one-bedroom apartments with landscaping, cycle storage, bin storage and associated works.

Are all 16 homes affordable?

Yes. Oxford City Council says all 16 will be council homes let at social-rent levels.

Has planning permission already been granted?

No. The application has been registered and is awaiting consideration by Oxford City Council’s planning service.

What is the planning application reference?

The reference is 26/01928/FUL.

When is the consultation deadline?

The current deadline for comments is Monday 21 September 2026.

When will a decision be made?

The planning register gives a target determination date of Monday 16 November 2026. That date may change.

When could the homes be completed?

The council is targeting completion in 2028, subject to planning permission and construction progress.

Who will build the homes?

Oxford City Council has appointed Kidlington-based construction company Kingerlee under a demolition, design and build contract.

How much is the development costing?

The council approved a £500,000 purchase of the site and later authorised a £2,811,423 design and build contract. These are separate figures and should not be treated as a confirmed total scheme cost.

Who will be able to live in the homes?

The flats are intended for eligible households through the Oxford Register for Affordable Housing. Individual tenants will be selected through the council’s housing allocation process once the homes are ready.

Where can residents view or comment on the plans?

The application can be viewed and commented on through the Oxford City Council planning register.