Contractor appointed for Oxford Burial Meadow

Works are expected to start on site in autumn, and be complete in spring of next year.

With more than five decades of experience, Blakedown is an award-winning  landscaping and civil engineering specialist with a proven track record of delivering high-quality projects across the UK, including nationally significant public landscapes and sensitive heritage and environmental sites.

The company is recognised for its commitment to excellence, sustainable landscape construction and responsible delivery and brings considerable experience of projects similar to Oxford Burial Meadow, where care and sensitivity are paramount.

Working in close collaboration with the Council, Blakedown will ensure that the project is delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standards.

Oxford Burial Meadow is a new 17-acre site off Oxford Road that will provide a sustainable and respectful burial space for the city’s growing needs. The site, currently used for farming, will be transformed into a peaceful new public meadow incorporating burial use. The development will include new tree planting, wildflower meadows, paths and seating, creating a tranquil environment for visitors while also enhancing local biodiversity.

The Oxford Burial Meadow will be managed by Oxford Direct Services’ burial services team,  and is expected to provide capacity for around 45 years of burials, helping address the city’s shortage of burial plots. The exact number of burial spaces will be subject to planning conditions.

Addressing a growing need

Oxford is facing a significant shortage of new burial space, prompting the City Council to conduct an extensive search for suitable sites across the area. Following careful assessment, the Oxford Road site was identified as the most appropriate location.

Community support for the scheme has been strong. A public consultation found that 91% of respondents supported the proposal, reflecting widespread recognition of the need for additional burial provision.

The project received planning approval from South Oxfordshire District Council in April 2026, and the City Council’s cabinet formally approved the scheme, allocating £2.4 million for its delivery.

Enhancing the natural environment

The Oxford Burial Meadow will be designed with sustainability and biodiversity at its core. Plans include strengthening tree cover, establishing wildflower habitats, and creating a nature-rich landscape that supports local wildlife while offering a calm and respectful setting for remembrance.

Project timeline
Construction is expected to start in Autumn 2026, and complete in Spring 2027. 

“The Oxford Burial Meadow is a vital project for our city, ensuring we can continue to provide dignified and accessible burial space for residents for decades to come.

“This scheme has been carefully designed to not only meet an essential need, but also to enhance biodiversity and create a peaceful, natural environment for people to reflect and remember. We are pleased that the project has received such strong public support and look forward to seeing it take shape.”

- Councillor Anna Railton, Cabinet Member for Planning and Zero Carbon Oxford