Bonn Square Re-development

Bonn Square is one of the few public spaces in the centre of Oxford. It is in a key location at the intersection of four major routes, and has a heavy pedestrian flow. Over time, however, the square has become run-down making it a focus for criminal and anti-social behaviour in the city centre.

The re-development of Bonn Square will open up the whole square and make it a much more attractive place to be. People will be able to sit down and relax in the square and take time to enjoy the city centre.

Improvement of the square will benefit the whole of the city and it links with the ongoing improvement of the Westgate Centre, the Castle and the wider West End of Oxford.

Bonn Square design

The square will be surfaced in sandstone giving it a unified and uncluttered look.

There will be seven new trees planted on the east of the square to replace the four trees being felled, with benches and bins placed underneath. The trees - Robinia Pseudoaccacia - will be semi-mature and will be between 10 and 12 metres tall.

The Tirah Memorial will remain in its current position.

The square will be lit by 15 metre high lighting columns on the west of the square, together with stud lights in the ground under the trees in the east of the square.

Natural surveillance

It is hoped that opening up the square will increase the number of people passing through it and therefore improve 'natural surveillance' making Bonn Square a safer and more enjoyable place to be.

The square will also provide an excellent new space for arts performances in the heart of Oxford.

More design details

For more details about the design plans, images of the new-look square, and information about the materials being used on the square, please see the documents below:

Competition winner

The scheme has been designed by Graeme Massie, the Edinburgh based architect who won the City Council's competition to re-design the square in 2005.

Investment and funding

A £1.5 million pound investment has been made in the transformation project. The project is being part funded by a New Growth Points grant from the Department of Communities and Local Government.

We have worked hard to ensure that all parties with an interest in the scheme have been consulted and fully involved in the transformation plans. The Oxford Preservation Trust is supportive of the project.

More information

For more information about the design concept for the new look Bonn Square, visit the Bonn Square page of the E-architect website.

Planning details

The Bonn Square project received planning permission in June 2006 after being agreed by councillors on the Central South and West Area Committee. Work began on the square in January 2008.

Details about the Bonn Square planning application, planning permission, committee decisions and consultation can be found by searching our Public Access Guide. To access the guide, visit our Planning Applications Search page and follow the instructions. The Application Reference Number for Bonn Square is: 06/00487/FUL

Page last reviewed 8 Apr 2008