| Tue 19 Dec 2006, 8:40 | | LBT - Liberty International Plc - Westgate Centre |
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LBT
LILII
LBT - Liberty International Plc - Westgate Centre, Oxford
Liberty International Plc
(Registration number UK3685527)
ISIN Code: GB0006834344
JSE Code: LBT
Issuer Code: LILI I
18 December 2006
WESTGATE CENTRE, OXFORD
PLANNING APPLICATION GETS GO-AHEAD FROM SECRETARY OF STATE
Attached is a press release issued today by The Westgate Partnership, a joint
venture between Capital Shopping Centres PLC, the wholly owned subsidiary of
Liberty International PLC, and Coal Pension Properties Limited.
The First Secretary of State has confirmed that the proposed GBP300 million
refurbishment, part redevelopment and extension of the existing Westgate
Shopping Centre in Oxford`s city centre will not be called-in for Inquiry.
Oxford City Council will now be responsible for finalising the grant of planning
permission for the project.
Work on the main construction contract could start in Spring 2008 and the
completed shops open to the public in Autumn 2011.
Press Enquiries
Liberty International PLC
Richard Cable Director +44 (0)20 7887 7103
18 December 2006
WESTGATE APPLICATION GETS GO-AHEAD FROM SECRETARY OF STATE
The First Secretary of State, Ruth Kelly, has confirmed that the planning
application for the GBP300 million refurbishment, part redevelopment and
extension of the existing Westgate Shopping Centre in Oxford city centre will
not be called in. Oxford City Council will now be responsible for issuing final
planning permission for the scheme.
Speaking on behalf of The Westgate Partnership, Richard Cable, Development
Director, said; "This is excellent news. Our plans provide for a truly mixed
used regeneration of the Westgate area of Oxford, including a John Lewis store,
new cafes and restaurants, 127 private and social apartments, an enhanced public
realm and improved public transport links. We believe that these proposals set
a standard of design, quality and sustainability to which other towns and cities
will aspire. We look forward to working closely with Oxford City Council and
the local community to deliver wide ranging benefits for those who live, work
and shop in Oxford."
The team will now take forward the necessary pre-development work such as
detailed design, site assembly and survey work. Work on the main construction
contract could start in spring 2008 and the completed shops open to the public
in autumn 2011.
- ENDS -
Editor`s Notes
The mixed use scheme to regenerate the Westgate area includes:
A shopping area of approximately 750,000 sq ft (69,000 sq m), (including the
existing centre) with 90 new shops, bars, restaurants and cafes, together with a
wide range and variety of shops including a John Lewis department store,
aspirational fashion and lifestyle brands and smaller independent retailers.
Facilities will include Shopmobility, toilets, baby care, a creche and a
children`s play area
127 new city centre apartments, 50% of which will be affordable homes
A total refurbishment of the existing Westgate Centre to ensure that it blends
seamlessly with the new buildings and with its surroundings, particularly Oxford
City Council`s proposals for the redesign of Bonn Square
A prominent new three storey glazed entrance for Oxford`s County Library
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
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
Design to achieve "Very Good" ratings for BREEAM for Retail and EcoHomes, with
proposals to provide approximately 12% on-site renewables, rainwater collection,
green roofs and naturally ventilated malls
Over 2000 jobs will be created when the new retail offer opens, increasing the
number employed in the centre to around 3,300. In addition, there will be
around 2,000 jobs during construction. The Westgate Partnership will support a
programme of skills training in conjunction with the City Council, local
colleges and job centres
Accessibility for all including provision for pedestrians, cyclists, buses and
taxis
A new 1,335 space multi-storey car park to provide better, safer parking
facilities including wider parking bays, clearly marked pedestrian walkways,
enhanced lighting, CCTV and help stations
A significant investment in delivering improved public transport.
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 Coal Pension Properties` property portfolio,
which includes The Westgate Centre.
For further information, please see www.westgateoxford.co.uk or contact:
Margaret Harwood, CSC Shopping Centres,
Telephone 020 7887 7029 Mobile 07803 116380,
Email margaret.harwood@capshop.co.uk
Ruth Johnson/Holly Mckinlay of M&N Associates
Telephone 01483 415915 or 0207 8127091
Email r.johnson@mnasociates.co.uk or h.mckinlay@mnassociates.co.uk
Date: 19/12/2006 08:40:01 Produced by the JSE SENS Department.
