Controversial plans to turn a former prison into a hotel have been rubber-stamped by county councillors.

Members of Oxfordshire County Council gave their blessing to the £16m Oxford Castle scheme yesterday (Tues, Nov 16)among assurances that necessary financial safeguards were in place for the project.

Despite a strong petition against the plans, the county's strategy and resources committee had last month backed the Osborne Group's plans for an 87-room hotel as the main use for the former prison and castle site in New Road. There will also be two museums, a tourist information centre, student accommodation, a wine bar, gallery and craft stalls.

Cllr John Power asked if necessary safeguards were in place should the project run into financial trouble. He was assured by Cllr David Buckle that there were and the council agreed to go along with the committee's decision.

The idea is still subject to planning permission from the city council. The county believes it has struck the right balance between developing a scheme which offers public facilities as well as a commercial development. It will still own the site but lease it to the Osborne Group. The heritage and museum part of the site will be managed separately by a charitable trust.

The decision comes despite a 3,500-name petition organised by The Oxford Civic Society which called for the site to be managed by a trust rather than one developer.

Story date: Wednesday 17 November

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