CONSTRUCTION lorries are now being driven into Cornmarket in Oxford as work is stepped up on a £36m scheme to create new shops and student accommodation.

Jesus College is demolishing Northgate House retail units on the corner of Market Street and Cornmarket.

Oxford Mail:

Work started on March 3, with lorries allowed into Cornmarket between 5am and 10am and after 7pm.

READ AGAIN: Work starts on £36m Jesus College scheme in Cornmarket

But although some construction workers and vehicles are on site, major demolition work has not yet begun and the work is not due to be completed until 2021.

Jesus College said the next stage would be to remove the temporary yellow barriers in Cornmarket and Market Street so that more permanent hoardings can be put up.

Oxford Mail:

It is understood that the replacement hoardings will be erected in about a month’s time prior to major demolition work getting under way.

READ AGAIN: Oxford cheese baron alarmed about dust

Baron Robert Pouget, of The Oxford Cheese Company, has expressed concern about the possibility of dust getting on his produce as his stall is close to the market’s Market Street entrance.

He added: “I am considering moving to another stall within the market.”

Preparatory work before demolition is thought to include removing the interiors of retail units.

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Graham Jones, of Oxford-based traders’ group ROX - Backing Oxford Businesses, said: “It’s early days - once the real demolition work starts it will be a slow job - there are lots of business outlets right on the doorstep.

“The question of dust will come into play when demolition starts properly.

“Some of Covered Market businesses near the Market Street entrance and Wagamama restaurant are a little bit exposed.”

Oxford Mail:

Mr Jones said Jesus College had no alternative but to use Cornmarket as vehicle access for construction lorries because Market Street needed to be kept clear for supplies and deliveries to the Covered Market and other businesses.

He added: “Cornmarket does look a bit bleak at the moment with some shops closed for the refurbishment but the whole street will look much better when the scheme is finished. Cornmarket will now have to survive with fewer outlets for quite a while.”

Oxford Mail:

The opening of Northgate House in 2021 will coincide with the 450th anniversary of Jesus College. It will include a new gatehouse into the college facing onto Market Street and a new quad, and will combine academic research and teaching facilities, student accommodation and new shops.

Oxford Mail:

The city and county councils liaised with Jesus College on the access route and agreed that lorries should drive into Cornmarket via Carfax and leave through George Street. The city council last year approved the scheme despite controversy about the building’s height. Executive board member for the city centre Mary Clarkson said earlier the new building would be ‘iconic’.