Planning > Book Depository
In 2008, the University of Oxford’s Appeal against the refusal to grant planning permission for the Book Depository at Osney Mead was dismissed by the Planning Inspectorate. This means that this development will not go ahead.
Within the Report the Inspector describes the Oxford views from the western hills as ‘… impressive ... their significance increases with the knowledge that they encapsulate many of the historic buildings of one of the world’s great universities at the heart of an historic city. … the symbolism of these views has been recognised in the poetry of Matthew Arnold and the art of J M W Turner. The framing of much of the historic core by greenery is vital to the preservation of the significance of these views.’
In another place he comments on the effect that the proposals would have ‘ ... the building would appear as a massive block rising above the existing industrial buildings around it. It would add to the erosion of the treed foreground which frames the historic core of Oxford. The combined effect of the proposed depository and the existing Newsquest buildings would be to practically obscure the line of the greenery in some views. Due to its height and scale, the proposed buildings would detract from significant views of Oxford in conflict with Local Plan policies.’
In his concluding paragraph the Inspector says ‘ There is no doubt in my mind that the University should be supported in its overall strategy for the library service and the Central Bodleian complex. However, the need for a functional depository should not undermine the character of the city which is a fundamental asset to the University. The University should continue to develop within the historic constraint of Oxford in accordance with an adopted and up to date development plan.
All of this accords with the consistent case that the Trust has made. It is a sadness to us that it took an independent Inquiry to get this far and do hope that we can now all move forward to find a solution which works for the Library and for Oxford in its broader sense.
Click to see a copy of the Inspector’s Report [59 Kb PDF download] and a copy of the University’s Statement [9 Kb PDF download] on hearing the result.
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