A proposed facelift for Oxford's historic prison has been condemned as "dull" by planners.

Members of the city councils' planning committee were unimpressed with both schemes drawn up to give the Victorian jail a new lease of life.

The county council has drawn up two designs for the city centre site with the Norwegian shipbuilding firm Kvaerner Construction and estate agents King Sturge.

Both designs include shops, cafes, council offices, restaurants and a health club. Option A is centred on the former prison site, while option B offers a more ambitious design which would mean the county hall buildings, opened in 1976, pulled down.

Committee chairman Maureen Christian told councillors: "It's an extremely poor design. They're very unimaginative. Access to the public is extraordinarily poor considering this is one of the most important sites that is to be developed in this city. "I think this could be a tremendous asset - with these fantastic historic buildings - to make a heritage centre. It seems such a shame to go down this particular avenue."

Mike Ford, head of planning policy, said: "Both designs are in line with the local plan, if a little dull."

He also questioned public access to the developments arguing: "I think there ought to be improvements to public access to the mound.

"The general thrust of the committee is disappointment and we share your disapp- ointment."

The comments of the committee will be passed on to Oxfordshire County Council.

The prison closed two years ago and has since been used as a backdrop for several television dramas.

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