A MAJOR development north of the city could be a 'game-changer' for Oxford's economy and see millions ploughed into improving the roads.

Plans for the Oxford North project, previously known as the Northern Gateway, have been revealed and could create 4,500 new jobs as well as 480 homes on land between the Wolvercote roundabout, the A34 and the Peartree roundabout.

Oxford Mail:

Developers say this will boost the city's economy by £150m a year.

Thomas White Oxford, a company working on behalf of St John's College which owns much of land, will pump £100m into infrastructure, including £30m on improving walking, cycling, bus and highway networks in the area.

The development, across 64 acres, will include a mix of office space, housing, an 80-bedroom hotel, shops and 23 acres of green spaces as well as creating 5.7 miles of new cycle paths connecting the city centre with Oxford Parkway.

Project chairman, Julian Barwick, said: "When we look at the way Cambridge has expanded, this is the beginning of Oxford's response, it's a massive project.

"I imagine people are going to say 'you can't possibly put a new development in the north of Oxford' but we think we can - especially as we are putting £30m into improving the roads.

"If people seek to defeat this on the basis of that infrastructure offer, it would be regrettable."

He added: "Oxford Parkway is very important to the project, its the service of choice into central London but I suspect when the rail corridor to Cambridge takes off it will become a major hub.

"We hope that occupiers and investors will see this."

Oxford Mail:

A planning application could be submitted at the end of July and work could even start at the beginning of next year.

Phase one will see the creation of a new road through the proposed development diverting traffic off the A44 and onto the A40 towards Witney avoiding the Wolvercote roundabout.

The A40 will also be enhanced through a £5.9m central Government grant.

Mr Barwick said: "In the short term it will be busier than we would like through the site but we are also firmly supporting a proposed Loop Farm link road west of the A34.

"It's an opportunity to get this part of Oxford running smoothly which is most certainly not at the moment."

The new road - named Central Street - will also have a mix of shops, restaurants, cafes and bars.

Commercial space will be flexible to cater for small start-ups firms as well as larger employers and a wide range of industries.

The site was earmarked for development in Oxford City Council's Local Plan and an area action plan was approved in 2015 providing requirements on congestion and affordable housing.

Discussions over the numbers of affordable housing included in the development are understood to be ongoing.

City council leader Susan Brown, said: "The Northern Gateway area is a key employment and residential development site for the city, identified in our Local Plan.

"There is an opportunity to deliver significant additional employment space which is much needed, as well as new homes including social and affordable housing.

She added: "We will be looking in detail at the Oxford North proposals to see how well they align with our vision for that area of the city, and our policies to support the delivery of affordable housing."

Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership chief executive, Nigel Tipple, said: "Through world-class assets - such as Oxford University, Harwell Campus and Culham Science Centre - our county's economy is already having significant global impact.

"The Oxford North development has major potential and become another key asset of our economy, generating new jobs and offering a vibrant and innovative community."