Oxford Local Plan 2042 Regulation 18 (Preferred Options) Consultation

This area is adjacent to urban extension sites in Cherwell District Council.  

Reasons for identifying this Area of Focus are: 

• The development of the urban extensions surrounding the city, must be well integrated with the city in terms of improved pedestrian, cycling and public transport connectivity. 
• There are opportunities reduce and rationalise public and workplace car parking to optimise the most efficient use of land. 
• Generally low density suburban development therefore has potential for intensification 
• Severance by some key routes and junctions best addressed by area-wide approach 
• Lack of connections with adjoining area outside city (in Cherwell District) that development should take the opportunity to improve 
• Limited open space in west of the area and opportunities can be taken to increase public access to green spaces
• Area close to the SSSI at Port Meadow is sensitive to air quality and recreational impacts that need to be addressed by a holistic approach.  

This Area of Focus includes the area around the Kassam Stadium, and the proposed Cowley Branch Line (CBL) where several of the city’s key employment sites lie, including the large employers of MINI Plant Oxford, Oxford Science and Oxford Business Park. 

Reasons for identifying this Area of Focus are: 

• There is currently severance by some key routes and junctions, areas of poor air quality and of poor connectivity
• There will be significant opportunities for improving and enhancing connectivity to this part of the city by modes other than by private car. 
• The opening up of passenger services along the Cowley Branch Line will provide a welcome public transport alternative for this area of the city. 
• Two stations are proposed along the line at Oxford Science Park and in the vicinity of Oxford Business Park/Oxford Retail Park. 
• This area will experience considerable change over the Plan period as developments on the edge of the city in adjoining South Oxfordshire are built out as allocated strategic sites, particularly the Land South of Grenoble Road (Policy STRAT 11) and Land at Northfield (Policy STRAT 12)16. 
• There are significant regeneration opportunities throughout the area and potential for high density developments, supported by public transport improvements. 
• The public transport improvements and ambitions for better use of land also give the opportunity to seek a reduction in car parking across the area
• Consideration across the whole area enhances the ability to design higher density developments effectively, considering impacts of heights for example, and the best way across the area to increase access to green spaces. 
• Ensure good urban design and place making opportunities are taken 
• Increase opportunities to enhance existing tree cover which is the lowest canopy cover across the city.

This Area of Focus extends from the southwest part of Marston Road, incorporating Oxford Brookes and the Old Road Campus and the hospital sites. Range of uses including educational, residential, research and hospital. 

Reasons for identifying this Area of Focus are: 

• The area around this part of the Marston Road includes some underutilised sites with development potential. 
• It is a sensitive area because of proximity to important parks, proximity to the River Cherwell and several listed buildings. 
• There are some significant archaeological sites within this area including Civil War defences and the Fairfax siege line. 
• The area has an attractive and important natural setting and there are important views both into and out of the historic core of Oxford. 
• Recognises the need for this development to be well linked to the city in terms of both design and connectivity across the ring road. 
• New development offers the opportunity to ensure good connectivity by foot and cycle and public transport across the area, e.g. with safe, attractive routes, and to manage parking on the hospital sites.   

The area to the north of the city centre is dominated by several University of Oxford buildings of a wide range of styles, ages and sizes.  

Reasons for identifying this Area of Focus are: 

•  As many sites are controlled by one landowner there is more scope to ensure that new development and redeveloped buildings relate well to one another to create a better urban form and public realm.   
• Opportunities should be taken to improve the permeability of this area and the use of some of the institutional buildings at ground level where achievable to bring a wider range of people into the area. 
• The interface with University Parks is important and needs consideration beyond individual site areas. 
• There is often a lack of definition between public and private space, which could be improved, for example some routes are public but not obviously so, exacerbated by servicing features of the science buildings such as delivery areas, chemical storage tanks, vents and extractors. 
• There is currently little public use of the institutional buildings but this could improve 
• The area is sensitive as it includes and is in the setting of significant heritage assets (e.g. Central Conservation Area, Radcliffe Observatory, North Oxford Victorian Suburbs, Jericho and Walton Manor Conservation Areas and University Parks) Impacts of heights on views, including from University Parks an important consideration and roofscape, including the impacts of planting 
• Many buildings individually of very high quality, although they do not always relate well to each other or their surroundings

This area of focus includes several key West End sites, extends across the river to include Osney Mead and extends along the Botley Road to the retail park area. Most of this area is covered by the West End and Osney Mead Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) Area contains a wide variety of buildings and uses including brownfield land, commercial premises.

 Reasons for identifying this Area of Focus are: 

• Key area of public transport provision for rail and bus, and Seacourt Park & Ride along the Botley Road.
• This area offers some significant development and regeneration opportunities but for them to be fully realised there are some key infrastructure priorities.
• The SPD seeks to ensure that development in the area is brought forward in a coordinated way that contributes to the wider vision for the area. 
• The Area of Focus incorporates the Botley Road retail park as there are several changes happening there in a piecemeal way. 
• There are areas of high flood risk within this area of focus and OFAS will be near to The retail park currently is a car dominated area and a difficult environment to navigate on both foot or bicycle, so there is significant potential for improvement. 
• There is a significant opportunity to create high-density urban living with good provision and access to open space and a vibrant mix of uses, and also that make a significant contribute to the knowledge economy. 
• There is potential for enhance public realm, particularly around the waterways and enhanced accessibility and permeability of the area through good pedestrian and cycle links. 
• The redevelopment of Oxford railway station presents the opportunity to create an easy and attractive transport interchange between rail, bus and active travel.
• Careful consideration of heights of buildings is need as this area is sensitive in terms of views into and out of the historic core.