On November 18^th England’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Whitty joined representatives from Grosvenor and Oxford City Council on a visit to Barton Park.

Professor Whitty’s visit was part of a tour of projects participating in Oxfordshire’s Healthy Placeshaping programme.

Barton Park, a joint venture between Oxford City Council and Grosvenor, has been a demonstrator site for the NHS Healthy New Towns programme, showing how better places can support healthier living and address longstanding health inequalities in this area.

The project includes 885 homes, of which 40% are for social rent, alongside major new community assets – from a new primary school and sports pavilion, to allotments and a ten-acre park. These hubs are designed to support the coming together of new residents with the existing neighbourhood of Barton.

As well as a masterplan to support outdoor exercise, walking and cycling, Grosvenor has worked closely with NHS teams and the council to look at how services are delivered.

Rupert Biggin, Project Director, Grosvenor Property UK said: “As master developer for Barton Park, one of the 10 NHS Healthy New Towns, we laid the groundwork for healthy living by building the infrastructure that would encourage walking, cycling and active lifestyles right at the start of the project.

“By partnering with the council to understand and respond to what local people wanted, we believe Barton Park shows how new places can create healthier and better-connected communities.”

Councillor Louise Upton, Oxford City Council Cabinet Member for Health and Transport, said: “Barton Healthy New Town aims to create an innovative and sustainable way to improve health and wellbeing and was showcased at the World Health Organisation’s Healthy Cities Conference in 2018. The overall aim of is to give all residents equal opportunities to achieve good physical and mental health outcomes. 

“As well as creating a built environment that has health and exercise designed in, we’ve got new ways of working with healthcare professionals, and we’re supporting the community to get more active in its own wellbeing. Grant funding has provided things like a breakfast club for children and young people and a Community Cupboard to improve food access, and there has been more targeted healthcare support for people with long-term conditions and high users of healthcare.”