Oakridge Baptist Church redevelopment aims to secure 120-year community legacy and help prevent homelessness
 
Plans for a new church and community centre alongside 22 affordable homes in High Wycombe would secure the future of Oakridge Baptist Church while providing much-needed accommodation for people at risk of homelessness.
 
The proposals would replace the church’s ageing buildings at the corner of Oakridge Road and Jubilee Road with a purpose-designed church and community facility, with 22 single occupancy self-contained affordable studio flats above.
 
Rather than a hostel, HMO or emergency accommodation, the homes are proposed as move-on housing for people who are ready for greater independence, including those moving on from temporary accommodation arranged by Buckinghamshire Council. Residents would have their own self-contained homes, low-level support and a maximum 24-month tenancy to help them progress towards longer-term housing.
 
The proposals are the culmination of a 15-year journey for the church, which has occupied the site since 1902. Its existing buildings are no longer considered fit for purpose in the long term, while the new development is intended to allow the church and its community work to remain on the site for generations to come.
 
Alison Irwin, Secretary of Oakridge Baptist Church, said:
“Our aim is to create a community where people feel supported, loved and valued. We are offering a unique solution in a challenging area to homelessness and helplessness, helping people rebuild their lives by gaining the confidence to live independently and ultimately to thrive. It’s a bold move by a small church fellowship which aspires to make a big difference.”
 
The church already hosts a range of community activities including FoodCycle, the Community Friendly Fridge and the Boys’ Brigade/Girls’ Association. If planning permission is granted, these would continue from temporary accommodation during construction before returning to the new building.
 
The housing is designed around early intervention and prevention. The primary target group is people who are not currently homeless but are at risk of becoming homeless, and will not be suitable for people requiring specialist or urgent crisis accommodation.
 
J49 is proposed as the Registered Provider responsible for managing the housing and tenancies, working alongside Buckinghamshire Council, Wycombe Homeless Connection and a local support worker.
 
High Wycombe Society backs proposals
 
The scheme has received a strong endorsement from the High Wycombe Society.
 
Peter Lerner, writing on behalf of the Society in its comments submitted to the Council, said:
“The High Wycombe Society strongly supports this application. It is a well-designed scheme making excellent use of an underused piece of land and has clearly been designed to harmonise with its neighbours.
 
This is an excellent, thoughtful, and welcome application, which will not only help to meet a clearly identified need, but will help to bring life and activity to this part of High Wycombe.”
 
The proposals include a new church and community space at ground-floor level, together with a kitchen, welcome area and food storage and distribution facilities. A shared garden, balconies, lift and accessible accommodation also form part of the plans.
 
Alison Irwin said the church had sought to keep local people informed throughout the development of the proposals through regular updates at Castlefield and Oakridge Ward Partnership meetings, engagement with the neighbouring mosque, a pre-application consultation event and discussions with local residents.
 
She added that feedback from neighbours, particularly about parking, had helped shape the church's approach. The church is well aware of existing parking pressures in the area and has already taken steps over a number of years to reduce traffic movements and car use associated with its activities.
 
There is currently no formal parking on the church site and the residential element of the proposal is intended to be car-free. The church encourages visitors to walk, cycle, use public transport or nearby public car parks, with many existing attendees already travelling this way.
 
The church sees environmental care as part of its Christian mission and aims to make the new building a hub for sustainable living and community engagement.
 
The planning application is available to view here: PL/26/06159/FA. Buckinghamshire Council has yet to determine the application.
 
ENDS
 
Notes to editors:

Oakridge Baptist Church has occupied its Oakridge Road/Jubilee Road site since 1902.

The proposals comprise a replacement church and community facility with 22 affordable studio flats above.

The 22 homes are proposed as self-contained, single-occupancy move-on accommodation rather than a hostel, HMO or emergency accommodation.

Residents will not be coming directly from the street. It is intended as move-on accommodation for people who are ready for a greater level of independence, including people moving on from temporary accommodation arranged by Buckinghamshire Council.

If the church’s vision resonates with you and you feel able to support the project then we’d love you to be part of our journey; supportive comments can be made via Buckinghamshire Council’s planning portal reference: PL/26/06159/FA here

Media contact: Alison Irwin, Oakridge Baptist Church Secretary secretary@oakridgebaptist.church