Work starts on £172M regeneration scheme in South Oxhey

Homebuilder Countryside, housing provider Home Group and Three Rivers District Council are pleased to announce the start of work on site for the redevelopment of South Oxhey, an 11 acre district centre near Watford, Hertfordshire.

The regeneration will include more than 500 homes in a mix of private sale, shared ownership and affordable housing, as well as 55,000 sq ft of retail space and enhanced public spaces, transforming an area that is in need of modernisation and enhancing the quality of life for those who live there.

The ground breaking ceremony in Oxhey Drive marked the beginning of work on Phase 1A on the 6 December. Councillor Sara Bedford, Leader of Three Rivers District Council, alongside Mike Woolliscroft from Countryside and Sean Egan from Home Group welcomed and outlined to stakeholders the community benefits of the regeneration project.

Hertfordshire LEP Board Member Tina Barnard and Homes and Communities Agency Area Manager John Mist also attended to represent their respective organisations, having contributed to the funding of the project.

A total of 514 homes will be built in three phases, with the overall development expected for completion in 2022.

The regeneration will deliver:

• A mix of homes for sale and rent, ranging in size from apartments to family houses, creating 388 more homes than currently exist
• A varied and attractive shopping environment including a larger food store and new retail units

Significant benefits to the community including safe and attractive public spaces, including a market square, improved infrastructure with better links to Carpenders Park station as well as new job opportunities and apprenticeships for local people.

Left to right; Matthew Higgs, Managing Director of Partnerships South in Countryside, Cllr Sara Bedford Three Rivers Council leader, Sean Egan Home Group director of development, Mike Woolliscroft, Operations Director of Countryside’s Partnerships South and John Mist, Area Manager Home and Communities Agency

Sara Bedford, Leader of the Council said: “It's great to see the South Oxhey project underway. This project will provide 21st century shops and community facilities for the South Oxhey area, plus new homes for social rent, part-ownership and for purchase.

“In addition, there will be a number of apprenticeships and job opportunities for local residents, which I hope will be taken up."

Mike Woolliscroft,Operations Director of Countryside’s Partnerships South division said: “The beginning of construction work at South Oxhey marks a very important moment in transforming the district centre and delivering over 500 new homes.  We are delighted to be working with Three Rivers District Council and Home Group on the modernisation of South Oxhey. The vision is to meet the pressing need for quality homes for individuals and families, bringing new jobs and training opportunities and ensuring a lasting legacy of benefits.  We will work in close partnership with the local community.”

Sean Egan, Director of Development at Home Group said: “This work marks the start of exciting times for people who live or work in South Oxhey. We’re going to provide modern, energy efficient homes to people who currently live in outdated properties and we’re going to increase the number of homes to provide opportunities for those who want to live in the area.

“The work the partnership is doing to transform the retail and public spaces shows our commitment to not just building homes but creating neighbourhoods which work for all and allow communities to thrive.”

John Mist, Area Manager Home and Communities Agency said: “The Homes and Communities Agency’s investment of almost £3 million will unlock 500 new homes and help kick start the regeneration of South Oxhey and I look forward to seeing this first homes being ready for local people in the Spring 2018.”

Tina Barnard, Hertfordshire LEP Board Member said: “We are delighted to have invested £980,000 to support this comprehensive redevelopment within the heart of South Oxhey, which will help to meet local housing needs attract new residents and dramatically enhance the quality of life for its existing community.”