Forming a new quarter on 5.6 hectares to the south west of Oxford City Centre, the scheme will be developed with a focus on Oxford’s key characteristics like its heritage, which will be integrated into the urban fabric and provide views to the city spires.
The grid of streets will be complemented with a series of east-west lanes, which will connect the primary streets. The college quads will feature balanced space arrangements with private spaces and new public squares. The extensive waterways will be enhanced with a new riverside walk and apartments overlooking the stream.
Based on a group of individually designed blocks, the masterplan is also expected to define the public streets and spaces. Covered streets will open onto the surrounding streets of Oxford, providing a protected route leading from the existing high street to a new John Lewis department store. Forming connections between the Castle Quarter and adjacent colleges and between adjacent residential areas on either side of the site, the east-west lanes will pass through the development. The shopping and leisure facilities will be arranged with two public levels and a third level roof terrace overlooking the city roofscape of towers and spires.
Additionally, the masterplan also includes the existing public library, residential apartments, 1,000 basement car parking spaces and integrated vehicle servicing. Bus routes will be altered around the site and city centre to improve accessibility and quality of the high street.
BDP will submit an Outline Planning application in the summer of 2013. Construction work is scheduled to start at the end of 2014, with the new quarter opening in 2017.
