A significant amount of progress has been achieved with the Warneford Park development, including our plans being approved in principle by Oxford City Council.
What we have done so far
Engaging staff and stakeholders
Involving local communities in our proposals has been central to the programme as we worked to turn our vision into a detailed planning application for consideration by Oxford City Council.
Feedback from local stakeholders has been valuable in helping to shape and refine our plans:
- We carried out two pre-planning application public consultation exercises in September and December 2024.
- We engaged with a range of stakeholders including our neighbours, local community groups, local MPs and councillors.
- Staff have been involved in the design and planning of future services for the new hospital.
- We have worked with people with lived experience of mental health services to ensure the new hospital is designed and used for maximum therapeutic benefit.
Planning
In July 2025, we submitted our planning application to Oxford City Council. This was the culmination of a great deal of work that included developing designs and producing supporting documentation covering areas such as traffic and transport, environment and heritage.
You can read our planning documents on the Oxford City Council’s planning portal.
Our planning application was approved in principle (called a ‘Resolution to Grant’) by Oxford City Council’s Planning Committee in April 2026. The council further reviewed and reaffirmed this position through a Planning Review Committee on 16 June 2026.
Funding
Warneford Park will be funded by a range of sources, including Oxford University and a local benefactor. However, in order for the scheme to move forward, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust needs to secure funding for the new hospital.
In 2025, we submitted a Strategic Outline Case to NHS England, which was the first step on our journey for bidding for public funding.
What happens next?
The very earliest that construction could begin is in 2028, but before then, a number of key pieces of work will be undertaken:
Planning
Prior to planning permission being officially issued by Oxford City Council, details of the S106 agreement and the conditions with the council are being finalised.
This will include details such as the financial contributions necessary to support local infrastructure. We and the council are working to conclude the S106 by the end of 2026.
Funding
Discussions continue with NHS England to secure government funding for the new hospital. This is a crucial step in order for the development to proceed.
If funding is approved, then the next stage of more detailed design work can begin, and we can prepare for procurement to ensure quality and value for money when building the new facilities.
Detailed design work
Our approved plans and designs will now be further refined and we will work on more detailed design elements, such as finalising the internal layouts, ensuring all the design and engineering is co-ordinated and sustainability objectives and strategies are being met. This stage is referred to as RIBA Stage 3.
We will build further on our engagement with staff and service users as part of this piece of work to ensure the new hospital design provides the best environment to deliver the most effective and modern treatment options and therapeutic benefits for individuals.