OXFORD City Council has held an open day on the first review of ‘one of the country’s most important conservation areas’ in nearly 50 years.

It is the first of two Town Hall sessions open to the public during an eight-week public consultation, which opened last week.

The consultation is seeking local views on the ‘Oxford Central (City and University) Conservation Area’, which covers the historic core of the city.

Described as ‘long overdue’, the consultation aims to find out what city residents think is most important in terms of preservation, but could also ‘identify a site for redevelopment’ in the heart of Oxford.

Oxford Civic Society and Oxford Preservation Trust welcomed the initial move, announced in the Oxford Times two weeks ago, while a councillor has said that ‘decisions about alterations, development and demolition’ will be informed by the appraisal.

Design consultants from Alan Baxter Associates have been helping the council with a ‘huge draft document’ since April, and the public are now being asked to help ‘refine’ it.

Civic Society President Sir Clive Booth, who supports the consultation and welcomed the open day, said that a planning group from his organisation would have a meeting on Wednesday to have a 'very preliminary look' at the documentation.

He added that the group would be looking to 'get our teeth into it over the next few weeks'.

Mr Booth previously told the Oxford Times: “We welcome this ambitious project.

"If you care about the future of our wonderful city, this is a golden opportunity to get involved – say what you think about the central area, what’s good and what needs improving.”

Oxford Preservation Trust director Debbie Dance said she would be looking at the detail next week.

In literature handed out at the event, the council claimed it was 'building a world-class city for everyone'.

It continued: "the purpose of this (consultation) is to understand the character and significance of the area and to establish a strong basis for future management and decision making."

The city council’s board member for planning Alex Hollingsworth said of the consultation: “This assessment will help to record what is special about the area and allow the council to make informed proposals for its future management, to ensure that its character and appearance are not harmed.

“Decisions about alterations, development and demolition will be informed by this appraisal.”

A second phase of the project will deal with detailed street analysis and prepare a management plan, according to the council.

Similar projects have already been undertaken across the city, with the North Oxford Victorian Suburb Conservation Area appraisal being launched in 2017.

To comment on the appraisal, visit the council’s website, email heritage@oxford.gov.uk or meet the project team at Oxford Town Hall during the second open day on Saturday, October 20, from 10am to 2pm.

This Saturday's event clashed with Oxford Open Doors, but the council are hoping for a bigger turnout next month.

The consultation closes on Friday, October 26.