Oxford: Westgate Centre Plans Revealed

The redevelopment will also create 3,000 jobs and is planned to open in 2017.

The outline plans, prepared by the Westgate Alliance will see the existing centre significantly extended and refurbished, delivering new shops, restaurants, cafes and public areas as part of the redevelopment.

Specific elements of the plans include:

• ·  Around 70 new shops, including a 10,000 sq m John Lewis department store

• ·  New cafes and restaurants and potentially a cinema;

• ·  New covered streets and public squares/spaces;

• ·  A new roof top terrace with views over the city;

• ·  New basement car park of over 1000 spaces;

• ·  New cycle parking;

• ·  New homes adjacent to Castle Mill Stream;

• ·  New public conveniences;

• ·  Retention of the existing public library with a new enhanced entrance on Castle Street.

Sara Fuge, development manager for the Westgate Alliance said: ‘We want to create an exciting new destination in the heart of Oxford that will attract visitors from across the city and beyond. We are keen to meet with local people at our upcoming consultation events to explain our plans and hear their views on what we are proposing.’

Councillor Bob Price, Leader of Oxford City Council, said: 'This is an incredibly exciting project that will transform the retail and leisure experience in Oxford. We are looking forward to sharing the proposals with local residents and hearing their views on the plans.'

The Alliance is holding a series of public consultation exhibition events starting today (20th June 2013.)

This first stage of consultation will be on the Alliance’s proposals for an outline planning application. A second stage of consultation will be held later in the year on the detailed designs for the new Westgate.

The public exhibition is running from Thursday 20th June through to Friday 28th June from 10am – 5.30pm (open to 8pm on Thursday 20th and 27th June) and will be held at the Westgate Consultation Shop within the Westgate Centre.

Rresidents can also view and comment on the plans via the project’s consultation website www.westgateoxfordconsultation.co.uk from the 20th June.