Blenheim Estate Homes has confirmed it will retain the existing football pitch as part of its Hill Rise housing development in Old Woodstock, Oxfordshire. The decision follows a long campaign by nearby residents who were concerned about losing an important local space for sports and exercise as the area grows.
Pye Homes, the development’s build partner, began work on Phase 1 of the 180-home project in early 2025. In a January 2026 update the developer said landscape designers may shift the pitch’s exact position slightly to accommodate new paths and green spaces as the final layout is reviewed.
The developer’s consultation recorded nearly 100 responses, several praising the amount of green space, while reporting in the Oxford Mail noted some 450 objections to the scheme during the planning process. Many residents said building houses on the land would remove a vital community asset; the updated plan now ensures the pitch will remain a central feature of the new neighbourhood.
Woodstock Town Council had also expressed concerns about the number of houses proposed in the area. By retaining the pitch, Blenheim Estate Homes says the development will provide open spaces that encourage walking, cycling and outdoor play for both new and existing residents.
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