Oxford North plans set for major step forward

A hybrid planning application seeking permission for the development of a major mixed-use scheme comprising employment space, a hotel and new homes in Oxford – which could create thousands of jobs – is set to be given the thumbs up from the city council.The blueprint for Oxford North was lodged in August 2018 and has earmarked an area of predominantly grazing farmland spanning more than 64 acres for the project.The hybrid plans are set to go before Oxford City Council’s west area planning committee on 24 September 2019.The outline application element of the project proposes the construction of almost 940,000 sq ft of employment space, community space, a 180-bedroom hotel and up to 480 residential units, along with a link road between the A40 and A44.The second part of the plans is a full application for phase 1a of the work, comprising 170,600 sq ft of employment space and associated works.Final approval is subject to the completion of a section 106 agreement to secure affordable housing and financial contributions towards the likes of transport.The Northern Gateway scheme is backed by the Local Growth Fund and £1-m from Homes England’s Housing Infrastructure Fund