Oxford City Council is set to decide on a new strategy to finally redevelop the derelict Jericho Wharf site in Oxford, Oxfordshire. During a meeting on 18 March 2026, the Cabinet will consider taking direct action to bring life back to the land, which has sat empty for roughly 30 years.
The proposal involves finding a new development partner who can deliver the housing and community facilities local people have long requested. If the current landowner cannot move forward with a plan, the Council is prepared to use a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) to buy the land as a last resort, even if the owner does not want to sell.
A budget of £200,000 has been set aside to pay for the initial work and the search for a new partner. This move follows years of frustration for the Jericho Wharf Trust, a community group that has campaigned to ensure the site includes a boatyard and space for residents to use.
Councillor Ed Turner, the Cabinet Member for Finance and Asset Management, is leading the effort to break the deadlock after previous planning permissions for the site expired. By stepping in, the local authority aims to turn the area from a fenced-off wasteland into a useful part of the community again.
About this article: This story was put together with the help of AI tools and checked by a real person on our team. We're a small crew trying to cover as much of the UK as we can on a limited budget. We're getting better every day - but we're not perfect yet. If something looks off, let us know. You're part of the process.
