OXFORD City Council and Nuffield College plan to redevelop Worcester Street car park under which the Oxford Canal terminus is buried, plus the “island site” between there and Frideswide Square, and Oxpens.
Now the council proposes to end the 60-foot height limit for building within ¾-mile of Carfax. It says this is to reduce a shortage of housing and offices.
But Oxford has few unemployed and no overall job shortage. It may need to redevelop sites from one employment use to another. But employment should not increase in a city where already too many workers cannot afford homes.
Oxford has some of the most expensive homes outside London. Some Oxford bus workers commute from as far away as Northampton, Swindon and parts of West London. Oxford Bus Company is looking to build a residential block to help some staff live nearer work.
Three times as many workers commute into Oxford as out of it. But our city council wants to enlarge a city that is already bigger than its roads can bear.
Most Oxford residents live east of the Cherwell. But some people want the High Street to be free from the buses that are vital to reach the city centre and rail station.
Increasing city centre housing would ease demand on main commuter routes into Oxford. The Westgate redevelopment missed the opportunity to do this.
The “island site” and Oxpens should be redeveloped primarily for housing, and all within the existing 60-foot height limit.
HUGH JAEGER
Chairman, Bus Users Oxford
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