Huge Oxford North scheme unveiled
Suzanne Lovell
Massive plans for a development north of Oxford have been unveiled offering 87,000 sq m of commercial space, £100 million of infrastructure investment and almost 500 homes.
Oxford North, a proposed new urban district, previously known as Northern Gateway, goes on display in over two days of public exhibitions on July 2 and 4.
The scheme, by St John’s College, Oxford, is being led by its own subsidiary, Thomas White Oxford which owns much of the 64 acres.
As well as the 87,000 sq m of workspace and 480 homes (including affordable), the development will have a hotel of up to 180 rooms, 23 acres of open spaces including three new parks. It is expected to create 4,500 jobs and is forecast to add £150m a year in gross value to the economy.
The £100m of infrastructure investment will include £30m on improving walking, cycling, bus and highway networks, linking the city centre with Oxford Parkway station by 5.7 miles of new or improved cycle paths. The developer says it will be the gateway for the Oxford to Cambridge corridor.
There will be £5.9m of advanced A40 transport infrastructure improvements from the central government Local Growth Fund by Oxford City Council, Oxfordshire County Council and OxLEP.
Julian Barwick, project chairman, said: “Oxford North will be a community including homes, day and night life, culture, entrepreneurs, scientists, venture capitalists, finance and big corporations, all needing to create business growth through collaboration and staff and residents’ well-being. It is designed by a world-class team to provide a place that has urban energy and is sustainable.
“From my personal perspective, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for Oxford. Oxford North will be not just of local importance, but also significant at the UK and international level, supporting the world-class research that takes place in the city and creating a setting where it can flourish and adding to the economy. Our investment into the infrastructure will be significant.”
The team acting for Thomas White Oxford includes Fletcher Priest Architects, Townshend Landscape Architects, Savills, Gardiner & Theobald, Peter Brett Associates, Hoare Lea, EDP, AKT II, and BSG Ecology.
Nigel Tipple, chief executive, OxLEP said: “Through world-class assets – like the University of Oxford, Harwell Campus and Culham Science Centre – our county’s economy is already having significant global impact.
“The Oxford North development has major potential and can become another key asset of our economy, generating new jobs and offering a vibrant and innovative community that will embrace innovation.”
In full, Oxford North offers:
* £100m infrastructure investment
* 87,000 sqm business & commercial floorspace
* Around 4,500 new jobs
* A 300-person capacity shared workspace
* 2,500 sq m small shops, restaurants, cafes and bars
* 480 new homes, both market and affordable for around 1,500 people
* 23 acres of open spaces including three new parks
* An ‘energy loop’ system designed to save 21,000 tonnes CO2 per year
* Water consumption 40 per cent below industry benchmark
* More than 850 electric car charging points
* 5.7 miles new and improved cycle paths
* Sections of the A40 and A44 roads transformed into tree-lined city streets
* A performance space
* A nursery
* A hotel with up to 180 rooms
* A new central street
Public exhibitions are:
Monday, July 2, 3pm – 7pm at the Assembly Room, Oxford Town Hall, St Aldates, Oxford, OX1 1BX.
Wednesday, July 4, 2018 – 3pm to 7pm at Jury’s Inn, Godstow Road, Oxford, OX2 8AL.
There is an online consultation at www.oxfordnorth.com until 11pm on Sunday, July 22.
Planning applications for detailed consent for the scheme’s first phase will be submitted to Oxford City Council by the end of July.
Source: Thames Valley Property No 122 (tvproperty.co.uk)
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