H1. Waterways Estate and Aristotle Lane Estate

General overview

This turn of the last century development is a good example of a community created through responsible architecture, the use of green spaces and bodies of water.

It is a well-balanced area with very light traffic due to its ‘cul-de-sac’ nature. This is a safe and attractive area for all sections of its population.

Elizabeth Jennings Way forms the main entry route into the Waterways estate and presents a modern, civilised and well planned neighbourhood which is well looked after and peaceful with attractive planting. It is popular with families with young children, as well as with older retired people. The apartment blocks are a mixture of private and social housing with many of the privately owned apartments rented out.

Lark Hill presents an architecturally distinct, quiet, urban ‘mews’ style of street. It has the eclectic feel of a village high street which has developed organically over the centuries rather than over a decade. The interest lies in the variety of styles and the detailing, but the overall effect is harmonious.

Frenchay Road is a broad, open, tree lined residential road with an interesting variety of styles and detailing within a coherent overall design.

Stone Meadow and Cox’s Ground are an integral part of a well-designed estate with mixed private and social housing.

The estate is designed as a whole to appear varied but harmonious.

There is a variety of mainly traditional building styles within an integrated whole, built with good-quality materials.

Further South, along the Canal and across the Grade II listed Aristotle Bridge, is the Aristotle Lane Estate, which combines good quality design with high-density housing. It consists of high specification three-storey houses, designed as two crescent-shaped terraces, a straight terrace and two semi-detached/detached roads. All the houses are large, and the appropriate use of bay windows, arched doorways and pitched roofs raises them above the level of pastiche. Materials are mainly classic Oxford yellow brick with a few in red brick. All properties have dedicated parking. This upmarket estate makes good use of the available green space (Aristotle Recreation Ground) and its proximity to Port Meadow, the Canal and St Edward’s playing fields on the other side enhances the sense of living on the edge of the country.

The Phil & Jim primary school forms an integral part of the area.

History

This canal-side area was originally occupied by a brick works as well as by a major off-loading station for canal barges carrying coal. Later on the site, there was a parts factory related to the Oxford motor industry which also made radiators for Spitfires during the War. At the corner of Aristotle Lane there was a well, which was famous in the 17th century as a destination for scholars walking into the country from Oxford.

Issues

– The area is not well served by public transport

– Noise and vibration from the railway along the western boundary of the two estates which is likely to increase with the projected railway line development

Assets

– A modern take on the traditional Victorian/Edwardian North Oxford suburb

– Spacious layout with plenty of greenery

– Wildlife corridor on the eastern boundary is a great environmental and aesthetic asset

– Mostly a sense of peace, quiet and security

– Attractive location near the Oxford Canal and, a little further, Port Meadow

– Well designed off street parking

– The pleasant lake at the entrance from Woodstock Road to the Waterways Estate

Guidance for new development

– Any significant changes to the buildings would disrupt and spoil the sense of controlled variety within the careful and harmonious overall design – which is a hallmark of these two estates

– All green areas and the canal corridor deserve full protection