News

Planning Inquiry Day 7

Mr Cooper was cross-examined by Mr Sensecall on behalf of the Trust. Mr Cooper confirmed that whilst he recognised Oxford had an iconic landscape of 'national' importance, he felt that the impact that this building would have was a positive one, and that its design and colour would make it recede behind the Newsquest building. He referred on numerous occasions to detailed discussions with English Heritage. He also confirmed that Newsquest formed the baseline for this building and again said he was 'uplifted by an interesting building of this sort' and that it was right for this location. He also confirmed that he did not consider the high buildings policy to be relevant here as, whilst within the designated area, it referred to the central core and skyline and not Osney Mead.

This ends the evidence for and against. Discussions took place on 'hypothetical' conditions and Section 106 agreement, which would need to be in place if the appeal was allowed and permission granted. Closing statements will be given on 31 July from 10am at Oxford Town Hall and are expected to go on for most of the day.
Thursday 10th July 2008

Planning Inquiry Day 6

The University's evidence on Flooding and Sustainability was completed this morning with cross-examination by the City's counsel. This was followed by the evidence-in-chief of Mr Julian Cooper on landscape issues. Mr Cooper relied heavily on his own opinion rather than relating to any guidelines. He suggested that this was a well-designed building fitting into the character of the area, which would not be obtrusive or incongruous. He used adjectives such as 'interesting' and 'verging on exciting' within the views from Hinksey Heights. The only view cone he considered to be of relevance was that from Raleigh Park.
Wednesday 9th July 2008

Planning Inquiry Day 5

The inquiry recommenced with the concluding evidence of Mr Brian Wilson on flooding and alternative sites.
He was followed by Douglas Bond, Chairman of the Friends of North Hinksey, who produced a detailed report supporting three points: a) departure from the Development Plan; b) impact on the skyline, illustrated with the damage to views from the village; c) other material considerations on lack of evidence on alternative sites, the form of the structure and the overriding of the visual amenities of the Green Belt and the Oxford skyline.
Dr Ian Scargill spoke for Oxford Green Belt Network about views across Hinksey Meadows and visual amenity. This was followed by Tony Joyce for the Oxford Civic Society. 'The wrong building for this site, and the wrong site for this building' was the gist of his evidence.
Neither witness was cross-examined, and the case against the University closed.

Mr Roberts, planning consultant, then made his case for the University and was cross-examined by Mr McCracken QC for the City Council. Mr Roberts stated that he accepted Oxford was of national, but not international, importance, and repeatedly stated that the building would not 'harm' the views, maintaining that English Heritage accepted this. Some questioning on alternative sites took place, including site selection criteria. There were questions on 'green' roofs, on the Thames Path being a European designated Long Distance Path, and on costs of storage. He was asked whether the automated retrieval system originally planned was still intended and whether such a high building was required for other retrieval systems.
Mr Lindblom QC, for the University, drew on evidence about discussions with English Heritage about the importance of the Bodleian and design options.
The Inspector asked about evidence of the 'extensive search' for sites carried out by the University.
Tuesday 8th July 2008

Planning Inquiry Day 4

The morning was taken up with the cross-examination of Jeremy Smith, landscape consultant, with the QC for the University questioning Mr Smith's methodology and taking him through each of his photomontages of views from ten agreed viewpoints. Much was made of the existing impact of the Osney Mead Industrial Estate.
This was followed by Mr Brian Wilson, a member and benefactor of the Bodleian, who spoke of the issues of the University's need and lack of consultation.
Friday 4th July 2008

Planning Inquiry Day 3

The day began with cross-examination of Huw Mellor on planning issues.
This was followed by Julian Munby of Oxford Archaeology drawing attention to the importance of the views in history, art and literature. A colour plate of Turner's last painting of Oxford from just above the Conduit House (Harcourt Hill) formed the centre of the cross-examination.
Evidence by CPRE Oxfordshire and Professor Gill Evans was then heard, and the day ended with the evidence in chief of landscape architect Jeremy Smith. The cross-examination will take place on Friday morning.
Thursday 3rd July 2008

Planning Inquiry Day 2

Following the evidence of Cllr Elise Benjamin on sustainability issues, the City Council's case closed.
The Trust then took the stand. Trust Director Debbie Dance gave the Trust's case for appearing at the appeal. Cross-examination by the University's counsel was limited to the history of development at Osney Mead and the reasons for the Trust's objections to the proposed development.
Chris Wilmshurst then gave evidence about the availability of alternative sites, highlighting a number of possible examples. The University then cross-examined Mr Wilmshurst on his criteria and the sites.
The day concluded with evidence by Huw Mellor on planning issues. Cross-examination will take place on Thursday, to be followed by evidence from Julian Munby on historic landscape. The Trust's case is expected to conclude on Friday with evidence from Jeremy Smith of SLR Consulting.
Wednesday 2nd July 2008

Planning Inquiry Day 1

Over 50 people attended the opening of the University's appeal on Tuesday 1 July.
Opening statements were read by the University, the City Council and Oxford Preservation Trust.
The timetable was set for the two-week hearing, with the City Council beginning with their evidence by Cllrs Cook and Benjamin.
The Trust's evidence is likely to be heard tomorrow, Wednesday 2 July.
Oxford Civic Society, Oxford Green Belt Network, CPRE Oxfordshire and the Friends of North Hinksey will make their cases on Tuesday 8 July.
Tuesday 1st July 2008

Oxford University Planning Inquiry
Appeal against the refusal of planning permission for a Book Depository which would harm the classic view of the City
In November 2007 Oxford City Council refused permission for the University of Oxford to build a Book Depository (the SERS Building) in the foreground of the Dreaming Spires view. The plans were for a warehouse rising, in parts, to above the City Council's upper height limit of 18.2 metres, which would have a major negative impact on the classic views of the dreaming spires of the City from the west. The University’s appeal against this decision will begin at 10am on Tuesday 1 July in the Town Hall.
The City Council will be defending their decision to refuse the application with Councillor C Cook, Cllr E Benjamin and Cllr J Goddard appearing.
Oxford Preservation Trust has elected to be a principal party at the appeal and has put together a strong local team to put forward its case for why this refusal should be upheld. Appearing for the Trust:

Director, Debbie Dance
Advocate, Steven Sensecall, Kemp & Kemp
Historic Views, Julian Munby, Oxford Archaeology
Landscape Expert, Jeremy Smith, SLR Consulting
Planning Expert, Huw Mellor, Kemp & Kemp
Alternate Sites, Chris Wilmshurst, Kemp & Kemp

The appeal is scheduled to last two weeks
Tuesday 1 – Friday 4 July
Tuesday 8 – Friday 11 July

Monday 30th June 2008

University Depository planning inquiry begins

The planning inquiry into the University of Oxford’s proposals for a book depository in Osney Mead is starting on Tuesday 1 July at 10am, at Oxford’s Town Hall.
The University appealed earlier this year against the City Council’s decision to refuse planning permission.
The inquiry, at which Oxford Preservation Trust will appear alongside the City Council to oppose the plans, is expected to go on for two weeks.

Wednesday 25th June 2008

Hidden piece of Oxfordshire history re-emerges after 200 years
Public Access via Guided Tours from 31 May
For details of access arrangements to the Mound please contact Oxford Castle Unlocked 01865 260666
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 which once stood on top of the landmark.
Oxfordshire County Council has been carrying out work on a land slippage that occurred at the mound, which is visible from New Road and located on the Oxford Castle site near County Hall.
Excavation work has led to the tower foundations seeing the light of day for what is believed to be the first time since the 1790s.
Meanwhile, work on the mound will now continue until the end of July 2008 - six weeks longer than was originally anticipated. Having cut into the mound, it has been discovered that there are gaps between soil layers in areas adjacent to where current work is taking place. This could lead to land-slippage in those areas if they are not repaired.
Greg Lowe, who is leading the project for Oxfordshire County Council, said: "The emergence of the base of the tower is fascinating and Oxford Archaology has been analysing the structure and will report their full findings when the work is complete. This is a postscript that we didn't expect and another case of a long hidden part of Oxford history again being visible.”
"There is a little more work to do on the site than we had originally anticipated so the work will go on for slightly longer. This is not something that could have been planned for until we had actually cut into the mound and put ourselves in a position to do a more detailed assessment.
The temporary traffic management arrangements in operation on New Road will remain for a longer period than originally anticipated. We apologise for that but we are sure people will realise we want to do a proper job and sort the Mound out once and for all."
Debbie Dance, Director of Oxford Preservation Trust who undertook the restoration of adjoining buildings which now house the Oxford Castle Unlocked Visitor Attraction which includes the Mound adds "This is a hugely exciting discovery and one which fits the character of the restoration of Oxford Castle invisible for so long, and where long hidden structures have re-emerged into the public eye to tell their story. We are keen to be able to share this discovery with everyone and are working in partnership with the County to make this happen”


Friday 23rd May 2008

Oxford Castle Winner of
RICS: National Overall Project of the Year Award 2007
Civic Trust Awards 2007: National Centre Vision Award
RICS South East Region Awards 2007: Overall Winner
RICS South East Region Awards 2007: Regeneration
Daily Mail British Homes Awards 2007: National Mixed used development of the year
MIPIM Awards International: Hotel & Tourisms Resorts
RIBA: South Award
Oxford Preservation Trust Environmental Award 2007
Regenerate Awards 2007: Best Mixed-Use Regeneration Project
Malmaison Oxford: National Hotel of the Year, Caterer and Hotelkeeper Awards 2007
Malmaison Oxford: voted an International Hot New Hotel by Conde Nast

Friday 7th December 2007

Oxford Castle wins top RICS Award
RICS Awards 2007 awarded Oxford Castle the “Project of the Year Award 2007”. An accolade of the highest national significance.
Simon Pott, Chairman of Judges comments:
“This project is everything a mixed use scheme should be. The components complement one another and combine to create an attractive destination for local people and tourists. The development has brought a renewed sense of history to the area, and has already shown itself to be a major catalyst in the regeneration of Oxford’s West End. All in all, it is an exceptional project.”
A special judges prize was also awarded to the project which excelled in creating an inclusive environment for all that used and visited the building.
For further information visit The RICS Website

Monday 22nd October 2007

Trust announces 2007 Environmental Award Winners
Places for People and Local Community projects were a strong theme running through this year’s Awards, the winners of which were announced on Tuesday 2 October.
With 26 entries of a high quality, the Trust’s aim of recognising and promoting the range of work that adds to Oxford and its setting was ably demonstrated. Excellence was recognised with the award of six plaques and a further twelve certificates were given for landscape, new buildings, conservation and small projects.
Debbie Dance, Director of Oxford Preservation Trust, says ‘It is terrific that the City and its surroundings were able to put forward so many examples of the excellent work that is going on and being able to visit the projects and see what has been achieved was a joy’
This year the Environmental Awards have been sponsored by Symm & Co. , established Oxford builders. Aidan Mortimer, Group Chief Executive states ‘We are proud of the work that we do throughout the City so it has been a pleasure to support the Environmental Awards, which recognise the work of others in our field. We have won awards ourselves in the past and have been pleased to help the Trust in this way’.
For more information see the Awards page

Tuesday 2nd October 2007

© 2002-8, Oxford Preservation Trust