Dear Reader, Welcome to the Summer 2008 edition of the Oxford West End Newsletter, keeping you up to date with the latest news and programme developments around the regeneration of Oxford's West End. The newsletter is published three times a year, in Spring, Summer and Autumn/Winter, so please look out for the next edition in Autumn/Winter. In the meantime, if you have any questions about Oxford's exciting regeneration plans, please contact westend@oxford.gov.uk. West End Strategy Overview Approval is being sought from the city council to take the District Heating initiative to the next stage, which will include the completion of a Memo of Understanding between key stakeholders, and thereafter the procurement of an Energy Services Company. A report on all aspects of culture in the West End has been produced and, in addition, the proposed Tourism Strategy will be submitted in mid-August. West End Community Event - September 08 Development Sites - Progress Update Brasenose Student Accommodation - The new five-story Brasenose College graduate accommodation development, situated in Hollybush Row, will open for students this September. This sustainable development, comprising 44 student rooms, is provided with ground source heating (boreholes) and passive stack ventilation. Oxford's Western Gateway Development Partner for Christ Church If approved, their developments will involve a mixture of new housing, shops, offices, hotels and restaurants, creating a real sense of arrival into the city centre. Spring are holding a public exhibition in early autumn to display their plans for the regeneration of the Christ Church sites, as part of a public consultation process prior to the submission of a planning application to the city council. Railway Station - Becket Street Bay Platform Funding streams are currently being identified for the work and recent discussions have taken place to agree a way forward for funding approval. Architects are to be appointed over the summer to design the station enhancements, followed by consultation later this year with early elements of the project in place by early 2010. Westgate Shopping Centre Update The first stage of the work (the development of design principles) is progressing well, and there will be further consultation with stakeholders over the next few months. The second stage (developing more detailed design proposals for particular streets) will begin later this year. West End Area Action Plan Adoption Community Infrastructure Fund (CIF) In April 08, the West End Partnership submitted applications for CIF funding totalling over £10 million for two projects in the West End - the Oxpens to Osney Mead cycle and footbridge and the redesign of Frideswide Square. The Partnership will hear by the end of July whether they have been successful in the first round of the application process. Neighbourhood & Community Cohesion Oxford Castle Mound Excavation work by Oxfordshire County Council, carried out due to land slippage, has led to the tower foundations seeing the light of day for what is believed to be the first time since the 1790s. Download the Summer 2008 newsletter in a print friendly format.
As readers of our last newsletter will recall, a series of strategies are currently being developed which will guide and inform the West End regeneration programme. As part of the Transport Strategy, software has been developed that will enable us to improve bus routeing in the city centre and plan for the future pedestrianisation of Queen Street.
Local West End residents and people who work in the area will be contacted in August with detailed information about the West End regeneration, inviting them to attend an exhibition towards the end of September. The event will give the community the chance to learn more about developments within the area, with key members of the regeneration programme on hand to answer questions. Keep an eye on the events page for more details.
Albion Place - The new 14 unit Oxford City Council owned flat development (adjoining the Magistrates' Court in Speedwell Street) is due for completion by mid-August.
Bonn Square - Oxford City Council's £1.9m redevelopment of Bonn Square is due for completion this autumn. The redesigned square will be a welcoming public space in which to relax amidst the frantic pace of city life. Exciting new features include bronze seating and landmark structural lighting, making the area safer and more inviting.
The regeneration of Oxford's western gateway is crucial to the success of the West End. The project aims to transform the area into a high quality urban space, providing a welcoming place for residents and visitors to the city, whilst keeping the thousands of people who pass through it each day moving. The gateway encompasses the railway station and Frideswide Square (see below), and the buildings and roads that surround it. In order for the project to work harmoniously, various parties (including council planners, land owners and developers) will work together to ensure a cohesive approach, integrating planning and design.
Spring Urban Regeneration has been selected by Christ Church for the £100m redevelopment of their sites that abut Frideswide Square.
Oxford station is an important part of the gateway into the West End and requires significant upgrading, both in terms of operational performance and its passenger provision. Its improvement is a key element of the county council's Access to Oxford project, working in partnership with Network Rail to deliver a south-facing bay platform on part of the Becket Street car park, expand and enhance the passenger facilities and improve the station forecourt as an interchange.
The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government has confirmed the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) for the extension and partial redevelopment of the Westgate Shopping Centre. The Westgate Partnership is focused on the delivery of this exciting project and is continuing with site preparation and supporting the council in land assembly, now that the CPO has been confirmed.
Tourism Strategy Update
In April 2008, The Tourism Company were commissioned to prepare a Tourism Strategy and action plan for Oxford, which will influence the direction of tourism in the city over the next 5 years and beyond. They have already conducted research that includes site visits, interviews, an online survey and two workshops, (both of which were attended by numerous stakeholders from the industry). In light of analysis, the consultants believe that the strategy for Oxford is about managing and sustaining success; the West End will play a vital role, with the creation of new hotel accommodation and a city quarter that will encourage cultural attractions.
Improving the Street Environment
The West End Partnership has been working with Colin Buchanan and Partners to develop a Street Environment Strategy for the West End. This strategy will guide the design and management of streets in the West End to help create an attractive network of streets and spaces.
Oxford City Council formally adopted the Oxford West End Area Action Plan (AAP) on Monday 30 June 2008. The AAP provides the framework for the West End Renaissance; all planning applications in the West End will be assessed against the policies and proposals laid out in the document. This will ensure high quality design, social and environmental sustainability, and consideration of the area's heritage.
New Oxford West End Website Unveiled
A dedicated website for the Oxford West End Renaissance has recently been unveiled, providing an overview of the city's regeneration programme. Future plans for the website include pages for each development project and key sites; a local community section; an FAQ page; a downloadable West End walk; and an image gallery. If you haven't already subscribed to receive the regular e-newsletter progress updates, sign-up here...
The Community Infrastructure Fund (CIF) is a joint Department for Transport and Communities and Local Government initiative to provide funding for transport projects that support the delivery of new housing.
The Neighbourhood & Community Cohesion Strategy is progressing well. The first two stages are nearly completed (understanding the West End's demographic profile and also the existing community identities and networks), whilst the final stage (identifying the facilities local people will want and need), is currently being developed. There will be a community conference involving key stakeholders at the beginning of September in order to gain feedback on the overall strategy.
Work to repair Oxford Castle's famous mound has brought to light what is believed to be the foundations of the ten-sided stone tower that once stood on top of the landmark.
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