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6:14pm Monday 19th November 2007
The Bodleian Library's plan for a £29m book depository in West Oxford has been rejected.
The world famous library had wanted to build the new facility on the Osney Mead Industrial Estate.
But tonight, Oxford City councillors refused planning permission because of flooding fears and the impact the proposed building would have on views of the city's dreaming spires.
Bodley's librarian Sarah Thomas said the decision was 'the democratic process at work'.
She added: "I think we have a very good design.
"We worked with the Environment Agency, English Heritage and the city, and ultimately a solution will present itself.
"We desperately need more space."
Ms Thomas added it was too early to talk about an appeal at this point or consideration of alternative sites.
James Lamming, vice-president of Oxford University Students Union, said: "Students will be very disappointed with the outcome of tonight's debate.
"We hope to see the proposals for the book depository and for the new Bodleian bear fruit at some stage."
joe, oxford says...
10:17am Tue 20 Nov 07
Abigael Read wrote:world heritage site?? dont make me laugh... with all the wheelie bins lying around and rubbish everywhere its a dump
Thank goodness for that! What a relief. As a student of the university I appreciate the need for a new Bodleian to be built somewhere, but I was devastated at the idea of such a gigantic building being constructed so close to the historic town centre. I much agree with a speaker on Radio 4 yesterday: Oxford is a world heritage site. India would not accept proposals to build a warehouse in the foreground of the Taj Mahal, or Australia proposals to build one next to the Sydney opera house. In the same way, we should not accept one in the middle of Oxford. It is the most beautiful town I have ever encountered. Let's make it a priority to keep it that way.
lightblue, OX4 says...
10:21am Tue 20 Nov 07
Abigael Read, says...
1:26pm Tue 20 Nov 07
Helen, Oxford says...
3:43pm Tue 20 Nov 07
Although if it's likely to be flooded, then we should definitely think again.Goodness Abigael, have you read anything about the actual plans? The ones that are specifically designed to reduce the risk of flooding in the area? As approved by the Environment Agency? Ring any bells at all? Silly child.
Noam, Oxford says...
3:50pm Tue 20 Nov 07
Abigael, says...
6:12pm Tue 20 Nov 07
Abigael, says...
6:35pm Tue 20 Nov 07
Helen, Oxford says...
9:34am Wed 21 Nov 07
lightblue, OX4 says...
11:24am Wed 21 Nov 07
Helen, Oxford says...
12:11pm Wed 21 Nov 07
Oxford City Council wishes its university and its students would go away and so everything they can to stop it growing.Quite. It's an uncomfortable truth that all of the beautiful buildings they seek to protect exist solely because of the University that they're kicking.
Abigael, says...
4:35pm Wed 21 Nov 07
Helen, Oxford says...
5:40pm Wed 21 Nov 07
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Abigael Read, Somerville College, Oxford says...
8:35am Tue 20 Nov 07