Castle Mill
‘The University is to house students for the next academic year in the new graduate accommodation at Castle Mill as planned. We are confident both that the site is fully environmentally suitable for residential use and, after taking independent legal advice, that we are acting reasonably and responsibly in using the accommodation for its intended purpose. The City Council has been informed as part of our continuing dialogue on the project.
‘We have addressed all contamination issues on the site in their entirety and carried out all necessary remedial work, to the satisfaction of the city and environmental authorities. City officials have confirmed that the site contamination has been properly addressed and that the ongoing monitoring arrangements offered by the University meet the Council’s requirements.
‘We are conscious of the City Council’s requirement that the University should place fewer than 3,000 of its students in private rented accommodation to reduce pressure on Oxford’s housing market and the purpose-built Castle Mill accommodation enables us to achieve this goal.
‘The University will continue its discussions with the City Council and local residents to refine proposals for landscaping.’
Castle Mill is located in central west Oxford at the end of Roger Dudman Way off the Botley Road close to the Railway Station. There is a designated cycle track that leads from the site to Port Meadow car park and Walton Well Road. This gives cycle and pedestrian access to Jericho, North Oxford and the Science site bypassing the city centre.
Rooms/flats facing west look over towards allotments to the south of Port Meadow and Wytham Woods to the north-west. Rooms/flats facing east face the railway line which runs alongside the Castle Mill buildings. To the north is Port Meadow, and to the south is the Botley Road. Castle Mill can be accessed from both Botley Road down Roger Dudman Way, nearest to Blocks A - C, or by Walton Well Road in Jericho at the northern end (Block L) which is very convenient for Woodstock Road. Blocks D - K are situated alongside the railway line.
The ensuite study bedrooms are in clusters of 4,5 or 6 with a shared kitchen/dining room. There are also self-contained studios available to single tenants.
Please note that landscaping work to the grounds of Castle Mill may still be continuing when tenants arrive in late September/early October. This will be completed as soon as possible.
Viewings and Tenancy Start Dates
No viewings of properties in the new blocks (D - L) can be made, for legal and health and safety reasons, until mid- to late September.
In Blocks D - L tenancies start either on 23rd or in some properties 30th September. Tenancies cannot start before their respective start date as they will not be available until then.
Bicycles
There are cycle stores and a shed on site.
Car Parking
There is no parking at Castle Mill.
Lifts
Blocks D, E, F, G, J and K will have lifts going to all floors.
Cleaning
All tenants are responsible for the cleaning of their own room/studio. The kitchens and other common areas are cleaned regularly.
Common Room
There will be four common rooms on site which can be booked for parties and other gatherings. One common room is near the main entrance at the Roger Dudman Road end - the others are located within the three foyers.
Computer Connection
All study bedrooms and studios have a computer connection to the University Network. Please note connection must be by CABLE only - WIFI is not permitted.
Utilities
Utilities are included in the rent for the ensuite rooms. Studios are billed quarterly for electricity used.
Furnishing/Equipment
Rooms and studios are equipped with the basic furniture required - tenants must provide their own bed linen (including pillows), crockery, cutlery, cooking and household items.
The small studios have a small kitchenette (hob with 2 rings, microwave, and small undercounter fridge/freezer). Larger studios have a full kitchen with cooker, hobs, and fridge freezer.
Heating
All study bedrooms and studios are centrally-heated and this is included in the monthly rent.
Laundry
There is a coin-operated laundry on site. It has four washing machines and four dryers. There are also four ironing boards available.
Telephone
It has been decided to remove the University telephone lines at Castle Mill as most new tenants opt out anyway. However, the lines will remain in all the disabled units.
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