FRESH plans for a £700 million ‘innovation district’ in Oxford have renewed concerns over an increase in traffic and the imbalance between jobs and houses in the city.

Oxford North, which is being built on 64 acres of land within the city’s northern boundary, seeks to become a “unique home and workplace for scientists, technologists and inventors”.

The development was granted planning permission in March last year and the developers are now asking for people’s views on parts of the project, including laboratories, communal spaces and a public park.

The district will be split into three areas: Canalside, a 3.58-hectare plot of land to the south of the A40 and north of Port Meadow, where developer Hill Residential will build 317 homes; Central (to the north of the A40 and west of the A44); and Eastside (east of the A44).

READ MORE: Plans for more than 300 homes in North Oxford approved despite 'increase in traffic'

The project will deliver one million sq ft of new labs and workspaces including a new innovation centre and 480 new homes.

Around 4,500 people will work there alongside 1,500 residents and there will also be a hotel, nursery, shops, bars, cafes and three public parks.

Last week, Oxford North Ventures, who run the project, launched a four-week public consultation on the designs for the central area, which include laboratory buildings totalling 425,000 sq ft and public spaces.

In particular, the designs up for consultation include:

- proposals for the central landscape including amenity spaces, trees and biodiverse planting scheme

- a town square

- streets across the centre of the site to include pedestrian and cycle provision and tree planting

- amenities, co-working and SME space in an extended Red Hall

- laboratory buildings for science and technology companies and carbon-efficient buildings

- blue badge and car parking, including accessible spaces, electric car charging and acoustic buffering to the A34

- electric heating and cooling

The developers have also organised in-person meetings and presentations to engage the community. 

But in Wolvercote, residents who opposed the plans said the development will create an increase in traffic, generated by Oxford North commuters driving to the site, and asked the developers to fund a sound barrier from the Peartree Roundabout for two miles on the elevated section to southwest of Thames bridge.

Councillor Jo Sandelson, who represents Wolvercote on Oxford City Council, said: “On Monday night, a packed meeting of about 60 local residents at Wolvercote Village Hall expressed their anger that only a four hour in-person presentation for the general public is being made available by Oxford North.

“Residents want to know what mitigations are being put in place by Oxford North developers to protect them from the inevitable increased volume of traffic noise pollution already deemed unacceptably high with over 2,200 extra commuters expected once the offices and labs are built.

“It was proposed that a sound barrier along the affected stretch of the A34 would help protect them and prospective buyers of flats and houses on the new sites.

“There is concern too that the ‘affordable’ housing is being used as a sound buffer for the open market accommodation in the middle of the development.”

READ MORE: Here's what Oxford North 'innovation district' could look like

Planning group POETS also said that the development could contribute to enhance the imbalance between the number of houses and the number of jobs in the city.

David Young, a member of the group, said: “This development has been controversial and a long time in the making. It is disappointing to see that the number of jobs is likely to be some 10 times the number of houses.

“This will increase the imbalance between jobs and houses in Oxford, drawing in workers from elsewhere, increasing commuting - and putting further pressure on the local housing market, transport and other services.

“The city council has missed an opportunity to deliver more truly affordable housing, and the university has missed an opportunity both to show more social responsibility to the area in which it is based, and to help levelling up in other regions.”

David Camp, chief executive officer at Stanhope, which is part of Oxford North Ventures, said: “Our proposals are intended to provide a unique place by investing in placemaking, amenities and carbon-efficient buildings to support science and technology companies at all stages of their growth and creating a welcoming, inclusive and sustainable place for everyone.

“From start-ups, entrepreneurs and SMEs to large global companies, we plan to build high-quality, much-needed laboratory and workspace centred around a stunning new public park, market square and amenities.

“The project is also about playing its part in allowing Oxford, one of the world’s greatest cities, and the wider region continue to thrive by creating jobs in both construction and innovation so that we have a resilient economy.

“Oxford North is an exceptionally exciting project, and we look forward to continuing to deliver this new place for Oxford with our partners and in collaboration with the local community.

“We encourage people to see and comment on our emerging designs and visit our in-person event or join our online webinar.

“Feedback and comments from which will inform the details that will be submitted in our future reserved matters applications.”

To take part in the consultation, visit https://www.oxfordnorth.com/consultation/

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This story was written by Anna Colivicchi, she joined the team this year and covers health stories for the Oxfordshire papers. 

Get in touch with her by emailing: Anna.colivicchi@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @AnnaColivicchi