Issue - meetings
Woodford Way Update
Meeting: 26/03/2026 - Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Item 116)
116 Woodford Way Update 
PDF 90 KB
Purpose
This report will provide an update on the Woodford Way project and, engagement with Registered Providers.
Recommendation
That the Overview & Scrutiny Committee resolves:
1. To note the update on the Woodford Way project.
Additional documents:
- Appendix 1 - Option 3a Medium Density, item 116
PDF 831 KB
- Appendix 1 - Option 3b Medium Density, item 116
PDF 329 KB
- Appendix 1. - Option 2 Low Density, item 116
PDF 643 KB
- Webcast for Woodford Way Update
Minutes:
Councillor Geoff Saul, Executive Member for Housing and Social Care, introduced the Woodford Way report and made the following points:
- The site, which was currently a car park, had long been allocated for housing in the Local Plan.
- The development proposed would deliver housing for local people, particularly secure and affordable homes.
- There were currently 2,300 households on the Council’s housing waiting list. There was a particular demand for one and two bed homes.
- The site was owned by the Council. The site could therefore deliver 100% homes for social rent housing, without the need to have factored in developer profit.
- The scheme was expected to be supported through a combination of national funding and partnership investment.
- The work to refine the design of the site was ongoing. The current iteration of the designs had incorporated 55 homes, with a mix of flats and maisonettes, and included under-croft parking. Parking provision was for 84 spaces to be provided on site with separate underground parking for residents.
- As part of the project, the Council had reviewed the wider parking provision across Witney. At present there were over 1,600 free public parking spaces. Analysis had shown that Marriotts Walk had remained underused, with 230 spaces typically having been available on average. Work had been undertaken to explore other options for parking for residents and workers.
- Pre-application discussions were intended to take place imminently and a planning application was to be submitted for the development in the summer. Public engagement would take place in summer 2026.
- The plans were still being refined to strike the balance between the need for parking, housing and those of the wider town. Genuinely affordable housing was a key consideration.
In the discussion that followed the following questions were raised and comments made:
- The Committee queried if Thames Valley Police (TVP) had been consulted on the safety of the underground parking aspect of the plan. Officers confirmed that TVP would be a consultee.
- The Committee suggested that officers would need to ensure that vans could access the parking provision.
- The Committee considered the methodology of the parking survey that had taken place. It was noted that Witney Chamber of Commerce (WCC) had requested ANPR data and the report showed CCTV data. Members sought clarity on the difference. Officers advised that they were considering the WCC request. At present CCTV cameras were not available in all locations and this would be needed to ensure consistent data. Parking provision was being considered in the round, and it was noted that it was beneficial that Witney’s car parks were all central.
- The Committee suggested that a trial period that simulated the impact of the changes to parking proposed should take place. It was noted that, as the Council owned the parking site, there was no reason that this trial should be delayed. The trial would allow residents time to get used to the potential changes.
- Members recognised that it was important and beneficial that the site was in the Council’s ownership. ... view the full minutes text for item 116