The Oxfordshire Rural Housing Partnership (ORHP) was established in 2003 to maximise the opportunities for rural communities across Oxfordshire to benefit from new housing and to assist those who cannot afford to buy or rent from the open market.

Four Rural Oxfordshire District Councils then selected a consortium, consisting of four Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) to undertake the development and management of the new homes. Together with the Oxfordshire Rural Community Council (ORCC), the Countryside Agency and with funding support from the Housing Corporation, Leadbitter and various consultants were selected for their understanding and experience of developing in rural localities and who have demonstrated a commitment to working with local communities to deliver new sustainable homes.

To date we have completed 188 units under the ORHP with a further 39 units currently on site and 56 in pre-development. Some of the areas in which we are working in close collaboration with the rest of the ORHP team include energy task groups looking at alternative energy solutions and insulation options. We are similarly investigating different construction forms including modular and framed systems and are assisting with initial site assessments and viability studies.

As part of the on-going development of the ORHP, the partnership has developed a number of typical house/ flat plans which can be used with varying external cladding. This has reduced the design costs and reduced commencement/ lead in periods for sites. In line with this, we have developed a supply chain of local sub-contractors and suppliers who are best suited for these small rural sites and who gain continuity of work. This helps eliminate the ‘learning factor’ on each site and generates opportunities for training school leavers.

As part of our innovation initiative, we are currently using off-site manufacture and energy saving techniques such as solar panels, ground source heat pumps and European Passivhaus design elements such as increasing insulation beyond the current regulations in order to reduce heating costs for occupiers.

All of the homes have been constructed to ‘Lifetime Homes’ standards. This allows for adaptions to be made to incorporate changes in the lifestyle of the tenants without having to move them out of their home.