Proud to play our part in improving Oxford’s flood resilience

We’ve been involved with the £176 million Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme since 2016 and we are proud to have played a key role in land strategy and securing the consents needed to move the project forward.

The Secretary of State has now approved Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) for the £176m project following a public inquiry by the Planning Inspectorate. With Oxford hit by eight major floods since 2000 – and the risk rising due to climate change – this is necessary work. The scheme will protect more than 2,000 homes and critical infrastructure across the city.

Evidence from the inquiry highlights the key role played by Dalcour Maclaren. Our team has been involved in the Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme since 2006, with Associate Director, Michael Thorne, contributing from the early stages before joining the company. From 2016, our teams have has supported the Delivery Phase of the project – initially advising the Environment Agency Estates Team and, from 2017, with Michael Thorne taking the lead role as Estates Representative. His experience and in-depth knowledge are reflected in the Planning Inspector’s report, which cites his evidence contributing to the Inspector’s Recommendation for the Oxford Flood Alleviation Compulsory Purchase Order 2023.

“This project is a strong example of how technical land expertise enables climate resilience infrastructure to move forward. It’s not just about permissions — it’s about making the project deliverable on the ground,” said Michael Thorne, Dalcour Maclaren.

An urgent need for Oxford

Oxford has suffered severe flooding in 2000, 2003, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013–14 and most recently in January 2024. Without intervention, a 1-in-100-year flood event could inundate homes, roads, the railway and key services. The new five-kilometre scheme will create a relief channel and wetland corridor to safely carry floodwater away from built-up areas.

DM expertise

Over the course of the scheme, Dalcour Maclaren has provided comprehensive support including mapping and referencing land ownership across the corridor, arranging access for site and ground investigations, leading landowner engagement and issuing financial compensation offers. The company has also produced statutory Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) mapping and the Schedule of Interests, advised on minimising land take, and supported the successful application for Section 19 certification to acquire open space land without the need for Parliamentary referral.

More than 40 people across our specialisms have contributed, including surveyors, land referencing specialists and geospatial teams. We have worked on flood resilience projects more than 15 years, including major projects in water, transport and environmental infrastructure across the UK and Ireland.

Our extensive experience in land referencing, stakeholder engagement and statutory consents enables public sector bodies – including councils, the Environment Agency, and DEFRA – to successfully navigate complex land and planning challenges. This expertise is crucial in unlocking and delivering nationally significant infrastructure projects such as the Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme.