 However
most of North Oxford was built under the controlling influence of St. John's
College, the major landowner in the area. Park Town gave St. John's College
the idea of turning its 300 acres (approx 121 hectares) of land into a high
class residential suburb. A permanent and wealthy institution, St. John's
was interested in long-term investment, not quick returns. Thus the college
did not sell its land, preferring to develop the suburb on long, usually
99 year, building leases. This gave it greater control over the whole building
process and the future use of properties. Land was released gradually so
that development began near the city centre and proceeded northwards towards
Summertown. |
