13th Jun 2006 11:29
LIBERTY INTERNATIONAL PLC13 June 2006WESTGATE CENTRE, OXFORDDETAILED PLANS SUBMITTED FOR NEW WESTGATEAttached is a press release issued by The Westgate Partnership, a joint venturebetween Capital Shopping Centres PLC and Coal Pension Properties Limited.Capital Shopping Centres is a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty InternationalPLC.Press Enquiries Capital Shopping Centres Kay Chaldecott Managing Director +44 (0)20 7887 7057 Richard Cable Director +44 (0)20 7887 7103 13 June 2006FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DETAILED PLANS SUBMITTED FOR NEW WESTGATE The Westgate Partnership has submitted a detailed planning application for the‚£300 million refurbishment, part redevelopment and extension of the WestgateCentre, Oxford. The proposals include the creation of new shopping streets, aJohn Lewis department store, a prominent new entrance for the library, a newcar park and city centre homes. Significant improvements to the environmentaround the Westgate Centre will also contribute to the increased vitality ofthis part of Oxford.The shopping area will be approximately 750,000 sq ft (69,000 sq m), with 90new shops, bars, restaurants and cafes. As well as a wide range and variety ofshops from aspirational fashion and lifestyle brands to smaller independentretailers, facilities will include Shopmobility, toilets, baby care, a crƒ¨cheand a children's play area. The creation of individual buildings will enablethe establishment of two new pedestrianised cross streets, fully integratingthe new shopping area with the city centre and the wider West End.Richard Cable, director for The Westgate Partnership said;"We are delighted to have reached such a major milestone. The evolution of ourscheme over the last two and half years has been a truly interactive process,with local people and stakeholders making a significant contribution to ourproposals at every step of the process, initially through the major publicconsultation on the Westgate Masterplan and then through extensive consultation and feedback on the detailed designs of the individual buildings.""Our proposals are seen as a significant improvement to the existing Westgate,delivering much needed modern retail space, new homes and a more vibrant publicspace to this part of Oxford."The new buildings, designed by two award winning architects Allies and Morrisonand Building Design Partnership working with renowned landscape designer,Robert Townshend, aim to reconnect Westgate to the rest of Oxford City Centreand the wider West End.The proposals include: -¯â€š· a major extension to the overall retail provision within Oxford providing newand flexible accommodation to meet modern retailers' requirements¯â€š· a total refurbishment of the existing Westgate Centre to ensure that itblends seamlessly with the new buildings and with its surroundings,particularly the City Council's proposals for the redesign of Bonn Square¯â€š· a prominent new three storey glazed entrance for Oxford's County Library atthe junction of Queen Street, Castle Street and New Road¯â€š· a variety of street facing shops, kiosks, and cafes to bring new vitality toCastle Street and Norfolk Street¯â€š· a roof-top garden at the heart of the development, providing a local habitatfor wildlife and a unique location for a restaurant operator¯â€š· a full-line John Lewis department store designed specifically to respond toits Oxford location with a cafe providing some of the best views across theOxford skyline¯â€š· 127 new city centre apartments, 50% of which will be affordable homes,developed in conjunction with Bromford Housing Group¯â€š· an extensive landscaping strategy for the streets and green spaces around thedevelopment, including enhancements to the existing Paradise Square and thearea alongside Castle Mill Stream¯â€š· accessibility for all including provision for pedestrians, cyclists, busesand taxis¯â€š· a new 1,335 space multi-storey car park will provide better, safer parkingfacilities and will include wider parking bays, clearly marked pedestrianwalkways, enhanced lighting, CCTV and help stations.¯â€š· modern sustainable design aiming to achieve "Very Good" ratings for BREEAMfor Retail and EcoHomes including natural ventilation, green roofs, solarpanels and rainwater collection.The planning application was submitted today, and Oxford City Council will nowundertake its statutory consultation on the proposals. Full copies of theplanning application can be viewed at Ramsey House.- ENDS -Summary of planning application¯â€š· Mixed use development including the alteration, refurbishment, partredevelopment and extension of the existing Westgate Centre to provide newretail and residential accommodation¯â€š· Replacement multi-storey car park at Abbey Place and new access onto ThamesStreet¯â€š· New bus facilities and a bus priority route¯â€š· Environmental improvement to the public realm¯â€š· Associated highway, access and landscape worksA sustainable developmentThe Westgate Partnership is looking to incorporate the latest design andconstruction techniques to encourage an environmentally friendly approach tothe development. This includes the more efficient use of energy, the managementof waste through the lifecycle of the development, the use of recycled orreclaimed materials and the recycling of demolition materials.The Westgate PartnershipThe Westgate Partnership is a joint venture between Capital Shopping Centresand Coal Pension Properties Limited.Capital Shopping Centres PLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of LibertyInternational PLC, is the leading company in the UK specialising in theownership, management and development of regional shopping centres. Itspecialises in retail-led town centre regeneration, providing mixed-use schemeswhich respond to the needs of particular locations. Its portfolio includesChapelfield (Norwich), The Glades (Bromley), The Harlequin (Watford) and TheChimes (Uxbridge) all of which it owns and manages.LaSalle Investment Management, one of the UK's largest property investment fundmanagers, is responsible for the British Coal Pension Funds' propertyportfolio, which includes The Westgate Centre.Further media information:Margaret Harwood, Capital Shopping Centres, telephone 020 7887 7029,mobile 07803 116380, email [email protected] Nicky Winch/Ruth Johnson of M&N Associates on 01483 415915 [email protected] International plcRelated Shares:
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