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Westgate Re-development Statement

Released on 10 Jan 2008

There is currently a high level of media interest in the tree-felling at Norfolk Street / Old Grey Friars Street. It is important that we are clear about the facts relating to the media stories.

For a project of the size and complexity of the Westgate development, it is clear that significant pre-commencement works are required.

As part of these works, certain trees needed to be felled in continuation of the archaeological investigation that was commenced before Christmas on the surface level car parks at Abbey Place and Westgate.

The Westgate development has received full planning permission. Therefore there is no planning basis to resist the felling. None of these trees are subject to a preservation order.

The City Council, as landowner, has entered into a Development Agreement with the developer following an Executive Board decision in November. The agreement was signed before Christmas. Under that agreement the Contractor is obliged to discharge the various pre-conditions without delay. One of these pre-conditions relates to the need to carry out archaeological investigations at the site. The felling of these trees forms part of that work.

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), Westgate's contractor required the site clearance under the terms of the development agreement and this was done by our own in-house employees.

Reference has been made to a potential appeal. This would be in regard to the compulsory purchase order public inquiry that was held in December to hear objections to the purchase of some land and property interests currently not owned by either the City Council or the developers.

All the pre-commencement work being carried out at the moment by the developer and its contractor carries with it some risk that the CPO will not be confirmed by the Secretary of State. The confirmation or otherwise of the CPO is not, of course, authority to proceed or not to proceed with the development proposal, it would simply make the implementation of the full development proposal more difficult in practice.

As part of the Westgate development a considerable number of mature trees are to be felled, mostly those that line the surface level car parks and the Westgate multi-story car park, in order to make room for the new John Lewis Store, the Market Building, new MSCP and 127 new homes. However, the planning application indicated how a greater number of trees would be planted as replacements as part of the landscaping proposals.

The Council is fully committed to protecting trees in Oxford and replacement of trees lost due to development. The city has to develop if our retail and city centre economy is to be viable into the future. We are committed to fully consult on planned changes and replant trees when they are lost.

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