9.0 Conclusion

Conclusion

We believe our both meets and exceeds the brief and we have identified this in the table below.

Medium-high density urban living with a minimum of 450 homes at Oxpens and 247 homes at Osney Mead

How Oxpens meets the brief?

451 homes provided Oxpens in medium-high rise development.

Mixed use development including diverse employment, academic uses, student accommodation

Innovation Quarter to support Oxford’s knowledge economy

A mix of uses provided including residential, student accommodation, flexible office and lab space, leisure uses and supporting commercial uses. A mix of uses provided including residential, academic space, hotel, commercial uses, community space and flexible studio space.

Innovation supported by flexible labs (life sciences), co-working space, office, knowledge hubs, start-up incubators and adaptable event/activity space. Innovative living promoted which combines flexible studio space, sustainable initiatives with residential uses. Library and co-working spaces provided to support knowledge sharing.

High quality public open space, including enhanced public realm at waterfront and enhanced Oxpens Meadow

Active frontage at Oxpens Road

Enhance connectivity and permeability of the area, between Osney Mead and Oxpens and to the wider area

Oxpens Meadow forms the heart of the Oxpens site activated by amphitheatre, event and activity space, creating a local destination and high-quality public space. A high-quality public open space activates the waterfront and forms a key destination point and local centre here.

Oxpens Road activated by mixeduse blocks of the innovation quarter attracting high footfall and use (day and night). Activity at Oxpens Road is supported by key connection to Osney which draws people into the site through Oxpens.

A permeable route structure has been development and an enhanced connection to north and to Osney Mead via pedestrian/cycle bridge. Enhanced connectivity via increased gateways into the site and connections to surrounding footpaths, to Oxpens by bridge and to Osney, with permeable route network within the site.

Respond to the heritage of the area and have a positive impact on key view cones

Heights are below the 18m height restriction within the historic core, not exceeding the height of Student Castle to protect the historic core.

Provide a flood management strategy Flood management by maintaining flood capacity areas and incorporating SUDs in the form of planted street boundaries, green roofs and permeable surfacing.

Reduce car parking

Oxpens will be a car-free development with active travel promoted and a car club provided to reduce car ownership and need for parking. Osney Mead will be pedestrianorientated with limited vehicular access and only necessary parking incorporated into podiums.

How Osney Mead meets the brief?

1,145 homes provided at Osney Mead (over 4x the required amount) with a mix of high, medium and low density development.

Height is below 15-18m restrictions and concentrated to the northwest of site (outside of view cone). Development enhances view cone from Raleigh Park and draws from character of Osney Town Conservation Area. Flood management by introducing flood capacity at south of the site and SUDs in the form of planted street boundaries, green roofs, retention basins, rainwater recycling and permeable surfacing. In summary, our aim for RE-STATE is to provide innovation both by contributing to Oxford’s knowledge economy in line with the UK Government’s Innovation Strategy, and providing INNOVATIVE LIVING: a concept for sustainable and resilient neighbourhoods.

We have designed in a ‘system-conscious way’ with an awareness of wider systemic issues such as climate change, post-pandemic living and social polarisation, and how they interrelate. We have then aimed to provide a masterplan which is a stepping stone to system-shifting design, creatively addressing these systemic issues. This is to ensure our masterplan is resilient and ‘future-proof’ in the face of these challenges. A key element of this strategy has been to build-in flexibility and adaptability, while encouraging a shift to sustainable behaviours and living. Our masterplan looks to future and is rooted in the past.

We believe is achieved with our five design objectives, to create:

Local neighbourhoods

Climate resilience

Sustainable movement

Inclusive communities

Thriving local economy

By prioriting these key values, our masterplan delivers an inclusive and people-focussed place which meets ‘the needs of current generations without compromising the needs of future generations’ (Design Council, Beyond Net Zero, 2021 p.1).