Jericho Wharf Trust

01/08/2026

Faced with a compulsory purchase, the Hong Kong landowners have sold the derelict site.

This follows 18 months with the Trust working with the College and the City Council to the release of the site for development and the end of 20 years dereliction.

‘We are delighted,’ said JWT trustee David Edwards (pictured). ‘For the first time since 2013, when the derelict boatyard site was bought by Cheer Team, there is real hope it will be developed in the joint interests of its owner and of the people of Jericho’.

During the 13 years of its ownership by Cheer Team, the site became progressively more derelict. A catalogue of planning applications, appeals, permissions and then failure to build once permission was granted, showed a lack of commitment from Cheer Team. In December 2024, the JWT began to campaign for the City Council to reclaim the site by Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO). On March 18th 2026, the Council Cabinet initiated the CPO process, with Deputy Leader Ed Turner declaring that ‘Our patience is at an end’. This signalled to Cheer Team that further delay or obfuscation would gain them nothing. They subsequently decided to sell.

The Trust will be working with the College to bring forward proposals for the redevelopment of the site – including a new community centre, boatyard and public square with provision for a new canal crossing. The Trust would also like to see a mix of housing on the site, as set out in the Local Plan policies.

We will be initiating a process of community consultation. The people of Jericho and of Oxford as a whole, having lived so long with promises and retractions over the site, need an opportunity to express their views.

The College with the Trust will be arranging a public meeting later this year to discuss the next steps.

14/04/2025

Why a community boatyard
The Jericho community boatyard will provide essential facilities for boat-owners, part of a new vibrant, active focus in the heart of the city and saving our much-loved living canal heritage.

There are around 400 residential boats in and around Oxford. For many people it is the only way they can afford to live and work in our city.

Maintenance is a problem, particularly with the corrosion of metal hulls and the need for regular blacking. There are now no local lift-out facilities. College Cruisers have to send their boats to other yards. Bringing heavy cranes through Jericho’s narrow streets is unrealistic and too expensive. The only alternative is a round trip of 10 hours or so to the nearest boatyard.

Often residential boats have no engine, and it is impractical to tow them this distance. When the river is in flood in the autumn and winter this journey is impossible for any boat. Many boat-owners need to undertake their own maintenance and cannot afford commercial boatyard charges. In the 20 years since the closure of Jericho Wharf many residential boats have seriously deteriorated. Boats are sinking: four during this winter and very sadly there was a fatality with a well-known member of the canal community.

The Trust’s plans include three docks operated by an experienced manager: two for commercial work and a third for boat owners to undertake their own repairs. The Jericho Wharf docks would benefit boat dwellers, owners and operators all along the canal.

Boatyards are regulated and controlled to ensure little environmental impact. There are at least two motor vehicle garages within twenty minutes’ walk from the Wharf in residential areas which are well supported by their local communities. There will also be environmental benefits since, as the Environment Agency has noted, the docks provide flood mitigation for the whole development.

The alternative of filling in this waterfront site with bland housing would be a further blow to Oxford’s canal heritage. Boatyard operations ceased on Jericho Wharf 20 years ago when British Waterways Board sold the site. The former canal basin is now under the dreary Worcester Street car park. Only College Cruisers is left in Jericho. Many canal cruisers avoid Oxford as this section of the canal has few facilities and a poor environment.

Other UK cities have made much better use of their canal heritage. Their canal-based regeneration is a rich mix of commercial and residential uses. Oxford’s preoccupation with ‘dreaming spires’ and gentrification may cause us to ‘miss the boat’.

Boats and boatyards are a focus for activity, skills, employment and interest. Oxford and Jericho need to retain this living heritage and remain a distinctive, diverse, inclusive canalside community.

For a more detailed briefing on the Save Jericho Wharf Campaign, please check our extensive Q&A on the JWT website --

Community organization formed to develop community facilities on the canalside site in Jericho, Oxford.

14/04/2025

The CPO can be based on an approved planning designs, such as this one from 2015.

14/04/2025

Where we stand with the Council
In December, the Trust wrote to local councillors asking the City Council to acquire the site, preferably through negotiation or by compulsory purchase. For this purpose, the Council would cooperate with a responsible developer to fund and build a scheme that can be based on a previous planning permission. Initially, there were doubts that this would be possible, but the City lawyers have now concluded that it is legally feasible. Trust members recently met with the Council and we are in a continuing dialogue on how best to progress.