Oxfordshire
County
The urban landscape of Oxford, the county's centerpiece, features a mix of historic and modern dwellings, from charming terraced houses to contemporary apartments. Suburban areas showcase the prevalence of detached and semi-detached houses, offering a balance between privacy and community living.
As one ventures into the rural expanses, traditional cottages and farmhouses dot the landscape, embodying a picturesque countryside aesthetic. This unique blend reflects the dynamic preferences and lifestyles of Oxfordshire's residents, creating a mosaic of architectural styles within this historic and culturally vibrant county.
Party Wall London provides services in Oxford, Witney, Banbury, and Didcot and other areas of Oxfordshire.
Oxfordshire's housing landscape exhibits a broad spectrum, spanning historic properties in Oxford to contemporary developments in suburban zones. The Oxford Local Plan 2036 strategically tackles the evolving needs and challenges accompanying the city's growth. Emphasising responsible urban development, the plan prioritises intensification on previously developed land—a prudent approach in Oxford's spatially constrained environment. Efficient utilisation of limited space is paramount for sustainable development. Navigating the delicate balance between growth and preservation, the plan seeks to harmonise Oxford's expansion with the imperative of safeguarding its scarce spatial resources. Consequently, the proximity of existing structures to development sites may be unavoidable. Large developments will often involve pile foundations to support the new load. Such excavation work must be checked with the 45 degree line rule to ensure that the works are compliant with Section 6 of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. If you are excavating within 6 metres of a neighbouring property and your excavations would be intercepted by an imaginary line drawn from the bottom of your neighbour's foundations at a 45° angle, a Notice under Section 6 will be required to be served.
Semi-detached houses are the most common housing type found in the County of Oxfordshire. Any works which effects the structural integrity of the shared wall that joins the two houses must be notified to the owner's of the adjacent property. This includes works such a removing a chimney breast, inserting a steel beam into the party wall, and inserting weatherproofing materials into the party wall. A more in-depth discussion on what notifiable works on a party structure can be found on our blog post here.