Half of the buildings on the historic Morrells brewery site in Oxford have been saved from demolition, writes Reg Little.

Developer T. H. Kingerlee & Sons was asked by the city council to redraw its plans for the site in order to retain more of the industrial heritage.

The firm has now agreed to reduce the number of homes on the site to 78 from 98.

As well as retaining the famous ironwork entrance gate and the landmark brewery chimney, it will incorporate many of the 19th century brewery buildings into the 15m scheme. Chairman Jonathan Kingerlee said: "We have responded to council planning officers' concerns.

"About 50 per cent of the buildings on the site will now be retained and converted. None of the buildings is listed but the site is in a conservation area."

The Lion Brewery development in St Thomas' Street will include one, two and three-bedroom flats, apartments and houses. The new planning application will go before the council's planning committee on September 27. The height and density of buildings on the south side of the site has been reduced this borders a large BT site, which is also the subject of a major city centre residential redevelopment.

Beer ceased to be brewed at the Lion brewery 20 months ago, when it was announced that the Dorchester-based Thomas Hardy brewery was taking over the brewing of Morrells Ales. The Lord Mayor of Oxford, Maureen Christian, was among those to have expressed concern that housing was being proposed on an employment site. When Kingerlee first acquired the site she had complained: "Other cities manage to convert their industrial buildings and retain their appearance."

Kingerlee the builders was founded in Oxford 140 years ago by the plumber T.H. Kingerlee, who went on to become Lord Mayor of the city.