We are delighted that the new housing at Park View, Woodstock in Oxfordshire was recognised by the WhatHouse? Awards 2021 with a Gold Award in the category of Best Partnership for Blenheim Estate Homes and West Oxfordshire District Council. The judges recognised the ground-breaking model for delivering affordable housing and shared ownership homes, as well as traditional vernacular, classical vocabulary and use of local and sustainable materials.
Park View is a 16.7 hectare site that lies immediately to the south-east of Woodstock near to the World Heritage Site of Blenheim Palace, and will be a natural extension and new quarter to the existing historic town. It is within walking and cycling distance of the town centre with a wide range of local services and amenities. The masterplan provides for up to 300 new homes, retail units set around a neighbourhood square, potential for education facilities and public open space.
The judges comments:
"Blenheim Estate Homes has partnered with West Oxfordshire District Council to launch a ground-breaking model for delivering affordable housing within the local area, providing affordable rent discounts of 40% (double the required level of 20%) and all without any grants.
This is in addition to the provision of shared ownership homes, which are staircased to enable buyers to own between 40% to 100% of the property. Blenheim, as both landowner (of 12,000 acres) and housebuilder, is able to retain ownership of the affordable properties and manage them efficiently as part of its existing property portfolio, creating a highly cost-effective operation.
Added to this desirable social model, the elevations and streetscapes designed by ADAM Architecture use a traditional vernacular and classical vocabulary. The scheme is an incredibly sophisticated layout that provides constant, and constantly changing, visual stimulus. The varied house plans are well-planned and spacious and the finishes of high quality. Additionally, the quality of building and specification is outstanding, with the use of hand-cut local Burford stone, windows made from sustainably sourced solid timber and aluminium downpipes utilised to minimise the use of plastic.
In every way, Park View is an exemplar scheme that other housebuilders would be wise to visit. To walk around this beautifully landscaped development is an unexpected joy."
