Plans for 514 student rooms in central Oxford

Plans to demolish 15 of the 16 units at Oxford Business Centre and build 514 student rooms have been submitted to the Oxford City Council. The 0.9 hectare site of 1980s industrial units, is owned by Student Castle which will operate the new accommodation, which would be in Osney Lane. There will be 383 sq m of commercial, leisure and community space on the ground floor and total development costs are in the region of £32.5 million. The site, which faces onto the railway line is about 500

How Elizabeth Line will boost the region

Chief executive of McKay Securities Simon Perkins spoke to Thames Valley Property about the Elizabeth Line, the effects of Brexit and a much celebrated development in Reading. McKay Securities boss Simon Perkins says the full benefits of the Elizabeth Line’s arrival in the Thames Valley will only be realised when the trains are running. Speaking exclusively to Thames Valley Property Mr Perkins, chief executive of the Reading-based developer which brought the BREEAM ‘Outstanding’, 9 Greyfriars

New stores for Krispy Kreme and Next at The Oracle

More changes are planned at The Oracle with Krispy Kreme relocating from its Riverside location to a site within the mall and clothing retailer Next moving into the centre. Just weeks after the announcement of a £5.7 million upgrade at the shopping centre, The Oracle has applied for planning permission to turn the Krispy Kreme unit on the Riverside into a restaurant. But connoisseurs of the doughnut need not go without. Krispy Kreme told us the store will relocate, initially to a box store,

Growing arts scene 'will bring business to Reading'

Businesses in Reading have said investment in the arts will help drive the town’s growth. Results of a survey of businesses in the town by Reading UK CIC have shown the vast majority say a strong identity will raise the town’s ability to attract and retain staff and persuade employers to relocate to the town. The results showed: * 70 per cent agreed a strong location identity was very important for a relocation decision and recruiting and retaining staff * 82 per cent said the arts could help

160 homes approved next to Guildford station

Councillors have approved plans to build 160 flats and apartments next to Guildford station. Guildford Borough Council’s planning committee agreed the proposals, submitted by the council itself, to build the apartments (40 per cent at affordable rents) along with a 541-space multi-storey car park - which will have 825 sq m of commercial space on the ground floor - on the site of Guildford Park Road car park. Cllr Tony Rooth, lead councillor for housing and social welfare said: "We are

Slough ponders 'radical' plans to restrain car use

A candid report on how to tackle Slough’s future problems has suggested radical measures for restraining car use should be considered. Slough Borough Council’s cabinet approved the Issues and Options paper at Monday’s (November 21) meeting which states that 66 per cent of Slough residents who commute out of the town, do so by car, and many go only a short distance. The report states: “This is the sixth highest proportion for all towns and cities in the South East. During the morning peak one

NewRiver announces £60m upgrade to Templars Square in Cowley

Plans for a £60 million redevelopment of Templars Square shopping centre in Cowley have been submitted to Oxford City Council. Owner NewRiver REIT has applied for a mixed use development which will preserve much of the current shop ping area but add a hotel, restaurant units for leading operators, a ‘dramatically improved’ streetscape and pedestrian routes; modernised car parking and new feature entrances.There will also be 200 one, two and three bedroom apartments. NewRiver calls it a

Silverstone Metrology Network launched

The official launch of the Silverstone Metrology Network attracted some of the area’s top brains in high-tech engineering. Red Bull and Mercedes Formula 1 teams were represented among names which included Delta Motorsport, IMechE and Lohmann Technologies. The network is a collaboration between the park’s developer MEPC and Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence and meetings continue to take place at the Silverstone Park Metrology Facility which opened in July and is managed by Hexagon. Roz Bird,

Thames Valley's thumbs up for Autumn Statement

Transport, science and housebuilding commitments in the Chancellor's Autumn Statement have pleased many in the Thames Valley. Thames Valley Berkshire LEP (TVBLEP) applauded the backing announced by Philip Hammond on Wednesday (November 23) for a science and innovations audit by Innovation South, a consortium of LEPs, councils and scientists. The consortium will seek to highlight the south’s commercial strength in science and present a strong case for investment. Chairman of TVBLEP Peter Read:

Milton Heights plan for 458 homes

Plans have been submitted for 458 homes, a sports pavilion for Milton United FC and reserved land for a school expansion at Abingdon. Focus Design, on behalf of the Hartwright Family, have submitted the plans for a 26.1 hectare site at Milton Heights. The homes are expected to partially serve the workforce at Science Vale UK. The application to Vale of White Horse District Council acknowledges that the district is unable to demonstrate a five-year supply of land for housing and therefore the