Place Identity

What makes up the place identity of Oxford and the West End:

• An historic core with surviving built fabric spanning nearly 1000 years defined by colleges and fine grain high streets.

• A settlement built upon the rivers which are characteristic of

Oxford and define movement patterns and leisure activities.

• A well established green belt and easy links to the countryside.

• The West End expansion as part of late-19th century industrial development linked to the use of river transportation. It illustrates attempts by Oxford to accommodate an expanding population in the 19th and 20th centuries as well as the later integration of road traffic.

• A series of regular 19th and 20th century terraces.

• Views of the ‘Dreaming Spires’ which are protected by height restrictions of 18m within the Historic Core and View

Cones.

Influence 1: Kings Cross, St Pancras - Canopy Market

Key factors to draw from:

• The approach to drawing on the industrial forms, integrated with the contemporary i.e. by creating flexible market space using canopies.

• Drawing from the former industrial character of the area and integrating it innovatively with the contemporary.

How would the proposal respond to place identity of West Oxford:

• Maintain architectural variety (in both forms and massing) as is evident within the local townscape of West Oxford, which will enhance visual amentiy and townscape value, as well as responding to different requirements of different uses and residents (i.e. terraces, apartment blocks etc).

• Create a series of recognisable character areas within the development to help wayfinding.

• Enhance ‘gateways’ into the site to create a local destination.

• Enhance connection with the river which is key to the historic development and identity of Oxford, and the connections with the wider green belt.

• Responding to the regularity of the terraces closest to

Osney Town Conservation Area.

• Aim to be rooted in the past by drawing from the forms and materials of the historic industrial buildings, but reinterpreted in a contemporary context. This would create an identity distinctive to the West End of Oxford, separate

Influence 2: Jericho Wharf

Key factors to draw from:

• A proposed canal-side wharf development creating a new public square and a destination for locals, as well as extending the public footpath and activating the canal frontage.

• The character of residential development drawing from the local character of terraces housing, but a contemporary interpretation.

Figure 3.40. St Pancras Canopy Market Figure 3.41. St Pancras Canopy Market

Figure 3.42. Proposed Jericho Wharf