16/02945/FUL

Oxford Business Centre Osney Lane Oxford Oxfordshire OX1 1TB

10 December 2016

Demolition of units 1-15 Oxford Business Centre and redevelopment including erection of purpose built student accommodation with small-scale A1, A3, A4 and B1 units, with associated landscaping.

Oxford Civic Society regards this application as premature.  It is important that the site in question is considered as a component of the whole of the area covered by the Oxpens Masterplan SPD,  which, we understand, is shortly to be replaced. The current SPD does not take account of important changes that have taken place since it was adopted.  Moreover, the Society’s Transport Group has repeatedly drawn attention to the opportunity for the relocation of Oxford rail station into a position which would permit the once-in-a-lifetime creation of an integrated transport hub better situated to serve the City and its hinterland. If the proposed development takes place, this would no longer be possible. The current Oxpens SPD also fails to respond to the need for much better cycling routes with safe and segregated facilities.