OX Place is set to start ground investigations at Redbridge Paddock as part of Oxford City Council’s redevelopment plans. The site, previously used as a landfill in the 1960s and 1970s, is identified in the Local Plan 2036 for the construction of over 200 homes.

The ground investigations will involve using machinery to take soil samples across the site. Each excavation will be refilled immediately, with temporary fencing used for safety where needed.

The task will be managed by Hill Partnerships and RPS Group ecologists, with completion expected by the end of November. The findings will inform OX Place’s development plans, with a community consultation anticipated in early 2024.

Councillor Nigel Chapman commented on the project’s challenges, stating, “Given its history as a landfill, Redbridge Paddock requires thorough ground investigations before development.”

A 2020 study revealed that the ‘made ground’ at the site reached depths of 6.6 metres in some areas, impacting foundation designs. Additional testing will determine necessary safety measures, including potential gas protection against emissions from the former landfill.