Oxpens scheme approved

The mixed-use Oxpens scheme in Oxford has been approved by councillors.

Oxford City Council’s planning committee approved plans by OXWED LLP, a joint venture between Nuffield College and Oxford City Council, for a mixed-use neighbourhood comprising 234 flats (50 per cent of them affordable), 258 student rooms, around 500,000 sq ft of labs or office space and a 250-room hotel, at its January 21 meeting.

New public realm improvements are proposed, which will include an amphitheatre, events lawn and play area. Public toilets on the site will be reprovided. Improvements are also planned to Oxpens Road, Osney Lane and a right of way which exists alongside the 15-acre site on the edge of the city centre.

Kevin Minns, managing director of OxWED, said: “We are absolutely thrilled that the planning committee voted in favour of the planning application this evening, which allows us to start work on how we realise our bold ambitions for the site.

“Oxpens is arguably the most important regeneration opportunity in the city today and it has taken a lot of hard work by a large number of very talented people to get this point. We would like to thank each of them, along with all of the stakeholders we consulted, for helping to realise these truly transformative proposals.

“This area of Oxford, with its rich history of community and industry, is now set for major regeneration bringing with it new homes, new jobs, new commercial space, fantastic public space and a whole new riverside neighbourhood for everyone in Oxford to enjoy.”

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