PEOPLE have been asked for their views on masterplan proposals for the Northern Gateway science park.

Developer Thomas White Oxford, wholly owned by St John's College, held two public exhibitions last week – attracting some 400 visitors – about the plans and has encouraged residents to respond to an online consultation by April 30.

The firm hopes to submit a planning application in the autumn and start construction in 2018.

It comes after Oxford City Council won approval for an 'area action plan', which included 90,000 sqm of employment land, 500 new homes, 2,500 sqm local retail space, a hotel, road improvements, cycle paths and public spaces.

The exhibition for residents said the Northern Gateway would be "an integrated urban environment, not a business park or satellite campus" with high environmental standards.

About 15 per cent would be public spaces, including so-called 'garden squares' with water features where people could relax, and there would also be a nursery, market, shops and restaurants.

It added that roads such as the A40 and A44 which border the site could have their speed limits reduced to 30mph and be renamed to make the development feel connected to the rest of Oxford.

The exhibition material added: "Over the past 140 years Oxford has expanded to the north, framed by the rivers Thames and Cherwell.

"Development of this site is the next step in the evolution of the city and the site should be conceived as an integral district, not a remote and autonomous satellite."

It added: "There is very strong commercial interest in the site, and we anticipate that the masterplan application would be closely followed with a detailed planning application for the first phase of development.

"The college is exploring options for directly taking space on the site for its own academic functions."

Another public exhibition will be held later this year, a spokesman said this week. To have your say, visit northerngatewayconsultation.co.uk