Sir, I am dismayed to learn that plans for the development of the Westgate Centre ignore the guidelines of the Natural Resources Impact Analysis (NRIA) adopted by the city council in July this year. There is hardly any provision for the use of renewables and I am particularly sorry that there is no innovative sustainable design.
As winner of the Observer Ethical Award for the eco-renovation of my house in Headington, I had the opportunity to learn details of the winner of the Building of the Year category, the Brighton Jubilee Library. The judges report that it was relatively inexpensive to construct and uses a half to a third less energy than a conventional public building.
In addition it is exciting and inspiring, attracting far more users than were expected. Why can't we have buildings like this in Oxford? They would contribute to our target of reduction of CO2 emissions and also expose retail tenants to lower energy costs. The redevelopment of the Westgate Centre provides the city council with a great opportunity to set a shining example. They must take it and give us buildings to be proud of.
Averil Stedeford, Headington
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