| Tue 13 Jun 2006, 13:17 | | Liberty International Plc - Westgate Centre |
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LBT
LILII
Liberty International Plc - Westgate Centre, Oxford
LIBERTY INTERNATIONAL PLC
(Registration number UK3685527)
ISIN Code:GB0006834344
JSE Code:LBT
Issuer Code:LILI I
LIBERTY INTERNATIONAL PLC
13 June 2006
WESTGATE CENTRE, OXFORD
DETAILED PLANS SUBMITTED FOR NEW WESTGATE
Attached is a press release issued by The Westgate Partnership, a joint venture
between Capital Shopping Centres PLC and Coal Pension Properties Limited.
Capital Shopping Centres is a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty International
PLC.
Press Enquiries
Capital Shopping Centres
Kay Chaldecott Managing Director +44 (0)20 7887 7057
Richard Cable Director +44 (0)20 7887 7103
13 June 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DETAILED PLANS SUBMITTED FOR NEW WESTGATE
The Westgate Partnership has submitted a detailed planning application for the
GBP300 million refurbishment, part redevelopment and extension of the Westgate
Centre, Oxford. The proposals include the creation of new shopping streets, a
John Lewis department store, a prominent new entrance for the library, a new car
park and city centre homes. Significant improvements to the environment around
the Westgate Centre will also contribute to the increased vitality of this part
of Oxford.
The shopping area will be approximately 750,000 sq ft (69,000 sq m), with 90 new
shops, bars, restaurants and cafes. As well as a wide range and variety of
shops from aspirational fashion and lifestyle brands to smaller independent
retailers, facilities will include Shopmobility, toilets, baby care, a creche
and a children"s play area. The creation of individual buildings will enable the
establishment of two new pedestrianised cross streets, fully integrating the new
shopping area with the city centre and the wider West End.
Richard Cable, director for The Westgate Partnership said;
"We are delighted to have reached such a major milestone. The evolution of our
scheme over the last two and half years has been a truly interactive process,
with local people and stakeholders making a significant contribution to our
proposals at every step of the process, initially through the major public
consultation on the
Westgate Masterplan and then through extensive consultation and feedback on the
detailed designs of the individual buildings."
"Our proposals are seen as a significant improvement to the existing Westgate,
delivering much needed modern retail space, new homes and a more vibrant public
space to this part of Oxford."
The new buildings, designed by two award winning architects Allies and Morrison
and Building Design Partnership working with renowned landscape designer, Robert
Townshend, aim to reconnect Westgate to the rest of Oxford City Centre and the
wider West End.
The proposals include: -
* a major extension to the overall retail provision within Oxford providing
new and flexible accommodation to meet modern retailers" requirements
* a total refurbishment of the existing Westgate Centre to ensure that it
blends seamlessly with the new buildings and with its surroundings,
particularly the City Council"s proposals for the redesign of Bonn Square
* a prominent new three storey glazed entrance for Oxford"s County Library at
the junction of Queen Street, Castle Street and New Road
* a variety of street facing shops, kiosks, and cafes to bring new vitality
to Castle Street and Norfolk Street
* a roof-top garden at the heart of the development, providing a local
habitat for wildlife and a unique location for a restaurant operator
* a full-line John Lewis department store designed specifically to respond to
its Oxford location with a cafe providing some of the best views across the
Oxford skyline
* 127 new city centre apartments, 50% of which will be affordable homes,
developed in conjunction with Bromford Housing Group
* an extensive landscaping strategy for the streets and green spaces around
the development, including enhancements to the existing Paradise Square and
the area alongside Castle Mill Stream
* accessibility for all including provision for pedestrians, cyclists, buses
and taxis
* a new 1,335 space multi-storey car park will provide better, safer parking
facilities and will include wider parking bays, clearly marked pedestrian
walkways, enhanced lighting, CCTV and help stations.
* modern sustainable design aiming to achieve "Very Good" ratings for BREEAM
for Retail and EcoHomes including natural ventilation, green roofs, solar
panels and rainwater collection.
The planning application was submitted today, and Oxford City Council will now
undertake its statutory consultation on the proposals. Full copies of the
planning application can be viewed at Ramsey House.
- ENDS -
Summary of planning application
* Mixed use development including the alteration, refurbishment, part
redevelopment and extension of the existing Westgate Centre to provide new
retail and residential accommodation
* Replacement multi-storey car park at Abbey Place and new access onto Thames
Street
* New bus facilities and a bus priority route
* Environmental improvement to the public realm
* Associated highway, access and landscape works
A sustainable development
The Westgate Partnership is looking to incorporate the latest design and
construction techniques to encourage an environmentally friendly approach to the
development. This includes the more efficient use of energy, the management of
waste through the lifecycle of the development, the use of recycled or reclaimed
materials and the recycling of demolition materials.
The Westgate Partnership
The Westgate Partnership is a joint venture between Capital Shopping Centres and
Coal Pension Properties Limited.
Capital Shopping Centres PLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty International
PLC, is the leading company in the UK specialising in the ownership, management
and development of regional shopping centres. It specialises in retail-led town
centre regeneration, providing mixed-use schemes which respond to the needs of
particular locations. Its portfolio includes Chapelfield (Norwich), The Glades
(Bromley), The Harlequin (Watford) and The Chimes (Uxbridge) all of which it
owns and manages.
LaSalle Investment Management, one of the UK"s largest property investment fund
managers, is responsible for the British Coal Pension Funds" property portfolio,
which includes The Westgate Centre.
Further media information:
Margaret Harwood, Capital Shopping Centres, telephone 020 7887 7029,
mobile 07803 116380, email margaret.harwood@capshop.co.uk
OR Nicky Winch/Ruth Johnson of M&N Associates on 01483 415915
r.johnson@mnasociates.co.uk
Sponsor in South Africa
Merrill Lynch
Date: 13/06/2006 01:17:11 PM Produced by the JSE SENS Department
