Latest news with #OxfordCityCouncil
BBC News
a day ago
- Business
- BBC News
Devolution: Councils in Oxfordshire put together rival plans
Rivals plans are being put to the public for local government reorganisation in Oxfordshire and part of councils have backed a plan for two new authorities covering Oxfordshire and West City Council has said it wants three authorities for the same area - including an expanded "Greater Oxford".Oxfordshire County Council has said just one unitary authority should cover the whole county, and does not include West Berkshire in its plan. The plans have been put forward after the government announced in December 2024 its intention to abolish district councils and introduce large mayoral combined authorities in changes will be the most significant reforms to local government since councils - West Berkshire, Cherwell, South Oxfordshire, Vale of White Horse and West Oxfordshire - have backed a plan for two new unitary authorities covering Oxfordshire and West proposals would see an "Oxford and Shires Council" for the areas currently covered by Cherwell District Council, Oxford City Council and West Oxfordshire District Council.A "Ridgeway Council" would be made up of West Berkshire Council's area, along with South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Bethia Thomas, Leader of the Vale of White Horse District Council, said: "This is a once in a generation opportunity – change is coming to the way councils work and so we can't let it pass without doing everything we can to make sure those changes work for our communities. "The two councils we're proposing aim to build councils that deliver high-quality services that are based on the needs of local people." Oxford City Council instead wants three authorities covering Oxfordshire and West would consist of a "Greater Oxford Council", an authority covering the North and West of the county and a "Ridgeway Council" covering much of South Oxfordshire, Vale of White Horse and West authority said that a "Greater Oxford" council would give local residents control of the green belt for the first time - as it currently sits outside the city's a statement it said: "Rather than incrementally building around every town and village across the county, as is currently the case, Greater Oxford can ensure that high-quality, suitably dense and sustainable developments are built near to existing jobs and community facilities, with good public transport."Oxfordshire County Council is backing plans for a single unitary authority, running all services, for the said it would save taxpayers £27m a engagement events are being held across the county by Oxford City Council and the five council coalition in June and County Council said it would also be carrying out engagement later this month. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Oxfam HQ could be turned into lab space and office
Plans have been submitted to turn Oxfam's headquarters into an office and lab Investments Limited have applied to Oxford City Council for planning permission to turn the building on John Smith Drive, Oxford Business Park, Cowley into a life science or office facility and "create a significant number of job opportunities".The charity said it had signed the lease for a new workplace within the ground floor of a smaller building on the same site, to help reduce Saj Malik, who represents Temple Cowley on the city council, has raised concerns about the knock-on effect of creating new science and tech jobs on the city's housing shortage. Oxfam's HQ moved to Oxford Business Park from Summertown in July 2005, and the building was sold to Sutton Council in was put on the market for £60m in 2023 and sold to a private investor for £37.1m in April lease on the building ran out in for the move include adding an extra floor to the building, as well as a gym and café area on the ground floor and a row of columns outside the comes after the charity announced it was trying to save £10.2m in wages, and that 265 jobs were at risk of to the planning statement the proposal will "create a significant number of new job opportunities" and the plans would "positively contribute to Oxford's role as a leading hub for research and development and life sciences within the UK".It adds the building could be used by multiple tenants and connectivity to the business park would be improved by upcoming plans for the Cowley Branch Mr Malik said many Cowley residents felt "it's too much, too quickly and gentrification is being imposed on communities without thought of the impact"."While I fully encourage investment into Cowley, this kind of development often doesn't benefit the people who live here in terms of job opportunities," he said."Already we have a shortage of housing in Oxford meaning teachers and nurses have to live elsewhere causing recruitment and retention difficulties."A spokesperson for Oxfam said they hope to move in July. "The new office space is smaller and will support us to reduce our costs," they added. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
4 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Church's office conversion plan in Oxford city centre approved
A church's plan to convert an office building next door in Oxford city centre has been given the go-ahead by a Evangelical Presbyterian Church agreed to buy the Grade II listed North Gate Hall from Oxford City Council earlier this year and had been leasing it from the 19th Century building, in St Michael's Street, was originally used as a United Methodist Free Church chapel and then a restaurant between 2012 and church said it will reuse the three-storey 1950s office building alongside it as a "flexible modern space" to "meet the day-to-day needs of the congregation and linked organisations". The council approved the planning application last week. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Planning green light given on new 80,000 sq ft building in city
The planning green light has been given to a new four-storey building spanning 80,000 square feet in Oxford. Featuring a laboratory and office space, the newbuild will be located at The Oxford Science Park in Littlemore. Located at the eastern edge of the park, the site is near the proposed new Cowley Branch Line, with a new station scheduled to open in early 2030, bringing direct links to central Oxford and London. Yong Shen, The Oxford Science Park director, said: 'This is fantastic news for the Oxfordshire ecosystem and for the companies shaping the future of science and technology. READ MORE: 'Their legacy will live on': Fire chief tribute to three killed in fire The decision by Oxford City Council on planning was a unanimous one. (Image: Ed Nix) "This development allows us to offer more world-class facilities in an established setting that promotes collaboration, sustainability and discovery, further cementing The Oxford Science Park's reputation as a leading destination for science and technology companies. "My thanks go to everyone who worked on the planning application.' Designed with sustainability and community integration in mind, the development includes a 5.86 per cent biodiversity net gain, extensive landscaping, improvements to the adjacent wildlife site, and enhanced cycle and pedestrian connectivity. There will be 168 car parking spaces with 25 per cent of these with EV charging and 104 bicycle spaces. READ MORE: Three arrested on border as police discover huge cannabis factory Missed a copy of the Oxford Mail you wanted? Here's what to do — Oxford Mail (@TheOxfordMail) May 13, 2024 The building itself will feature upgraded façades with anodised aluminium, high energy efficiency standards, and rooftop photovoltaic panels. Significant heritage enhancements will also feature including a public space showcasing archaeological discoveries and contributing to the setting of the nearby Grade II listed Minchery Priory. The unanimous decision by Oxford City Council follows extensive public engagement and marks another milestone in the park's growth, following the unanimous approval of the 450,000 sq ft Daubeny Project in 2023.
Scottish Sun
12-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Our stunning UK city is blighted by ‘eyesore' shopping centre that NEEDS revamp – or will send us into ‘downward spiral'
The centre has become a hotspot for antisocial behaviour GROT SPOT Our stunning UK city is blighted by 'eyesore' shopping centre that NEEDS revamp – or will send us into 'downward spiral' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LOCALS say their stunning city has been blighted by an "eyesore" shopping centre that needs a revamp. The rundown building has been affected by crime and antisocial behaviour. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Templars Square Shopping Centre is in desperate need of a revamp Credit: Alamy 4 Local politicians are keen for developers to go ahead with plans to revive the centre Credit: Alamy The Templars Square shopping centre in Cowley, Oxford, first opened on May 11, 1965 - 60 years later, there are concerns that it is on a "downward spiral." In March 2022 the property was bought by Redevco, a real estate investment manager and developer, for £38.8 million. They hoped to turn the centre into a mixed-urban scheme, however, they said they are still "some way off" from being able to publicly share their plans. They last held a public consultation in late 2022, with around 9000 locals invited to attend. In the meantime, they are trying to encourage independent retailers to move into the empty units. These delays are leaving local politicians frustrated by the lack of change. The city council had approved redevelopment plans back in 2017 which included building a hotel, restaurants and 226 flats and was set to cost £60 million. These plans were made by developer NewRiver prior to selling the centre to Redevco. Councillor Linda Smith, the cabinet member for housing at Oxford City Council told Oxford Mail: "The city council aren't holding Redevco back at all. "We understand it's a difficult time for investment in this kind of development. Historic George square statues removed "But if it is going to take time, then it's really important that the centre isn't allowed to just spiral downwards and get worse." As it currently stands she said it is "not fit for purpose" and is "nothing less than an eyesore in places." Not only is the building ruining the cityscape, but it has also become a hotspot for crime. Police were recently called to the site following reports that groups of youths were having organised fights in mid-March. Annaliese Dodds, MP for Oxford East, raised concerns over crime in Cowley earlier this year, and is keen for more resources in the suburbs. There were 189 crimes recorded by the Oxford Cowley Neighbourhood Policing Team in December 2024, largely occurring near Templars Square. Locals celebrated the 60th anniversary of the centre on the 11th May with an Elton John tribute act, a display of three Leyland Princess cars, and an historical walking tour with historian Maurice East. We have approached Oxford City Council and Thames Valley Police for comment. 4 Councillor Linda Smith said the building is 'not fit for purpose' Credit: Oxford City Council
