Great Western Park, Oxfordshire

Great Western Park is a large scheme aiming to achieve many placemaking principles. We’re working together with the master planners, local planning authority and County Council to achieve a vibrant community with a lasting legacy.

Social

At Great Western Park, we are investing £60 million in transport, schools, allotments, a community orchard and other community facilities, in the development and the surrounding area. Around 14 hectares of land, as well as financial contributions, are also being provided to Oxfordshire County Council for two primary schools and one secondary school. The site will also include retail units, community centres, a supermarket and a pub.

The houses are set among 70 ha of varied open space with a central oval, named Boundary Park, The site includes various outdoor sports areas, such as full-size cricket, rugby and football pitches, four tennis courts and a pavilion. The new £3 million Pavilion sports centre is home to many local sports clubs and includes changing facilities, a kitchen and bar and viewing platform. We’re investing in youth sport by providing four junior football pitches, three mini pitches and two multi-use games areas. There is also a skate park in the area.

Environment

Green space is a key element of the scheme and a critical design factor in shaping the masterplan. Green fingers increase the number of soft boundaries, increasing the opportunity for residents to use their local environment. A cycle route through a green corridor at the edge of the site provides a strategic connection to the wider landscape and encourages active lifestyles.

Existing hedgerows are integrated into the development and provide an attractive outlook for residents. Hedgerow management is being relaxed in some places to encourage the development of wide, dense habitat corridors connecting the Pill Pond Wildlife Area to other habitat features across the site.