OXFORD residents are being urged to get involved and have their say on plans to completely transform the Oxpens site.

Oxford City Council’s vision for the area was unveiled yesterday as part of a week-long public exhibition at St Aldate’s Chambers.

The Oxpens site, between the Westgate Centre and the River Thames, is seen as one of the most significant development opportunities in the city centre.

And the city council has drawn up a masterplan which will set out how the site should be developed.

It is expected the 20-acre site will include houses and flats, offices, research and development space, a hotel and a public square, with Oxpens Meadow preserved.

Marston Street resident Paul Simmons, 25, said: “I think it is a fantastic use of what is wasted space.

“I am in favour of it as long as the meadow stays.”

Luke Templeman, 26, said: “I think it is a really good idea.

“Although we have got quite a lot in Oxford, this could draw more people in with the Westgate Centre being redeveloped.”

For the rest of the week, the city council will be showing its plans for Oxpens off at its customer service centre at St Aldate’s Chambers between 8am and 6pm. People can come along, examine the plans and give their thoughts on them.

Chris Rich, the council’s assistant team manager of customer services, said: “People really should get involved. This is their opportunity to come and comment on what is happening.

“This is a major development and it will affect most people who live in Oxford. It is important that they do get their opinions across.”

About eight acres of the site is owned by the city council itself while another eight is owned by British Rail Board (Residuary), a Department for Transport body responsible for the disposal of any non-operational railway land. It is working with the city council on the scheme.

Oxford Ice Rink will be staying put for now but every other building will be levelled to make way for 300 flats and houses in the centre of the site, offices and shops along Oxpens Road and student housing near the railway line.

A four- or five-star hotel is planned in the north-east corner of the site.

The land at Oxpens is likely to be sold off to a developer to carry out construction, with the council’s control over the development coming through the planning system.

City councillor Colin Cook, the board member for city development, said: “Oxpens is probably the last major area of the city centre which is likely to be redeveloped in our lifetimes.

“It is important that we get it right, with the other developments coming in the area and get them integrated into a coherent whole.”

He estimated that work could start in 2015.

An online consultation into the evelopment is running until Monday, July 29, at consultation.oxford.gov.uk