Plans to demolish former Royal Mail sorting office

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http://www.thisisoxfordshire.co.uk/resources/images/4852463/A FORMER Royal Mail sorting office that closed almost seven years ago could be demolished to make way for industrial units.

DTZ Investors wants to transform the 6.67-acre plot, including a vehicle maintenance depot that is still in use, into eight units at Cowley's Oxford Business Park.

It comes after the sorting office was closed in 2009 as part of Royal Mail's multi-million pound plans to expand its Swindon centre.

In its application to Oxford City Council, UMC Architects said the sorting office, which is more than 20 years old, is "structurally sound" but had not attracted any "committed interest" despite being on the market for the past seven years.

It added: "Estimates for the building’s reinstatement to an institutional standard are approximately £5m, making it an unfeasible option.

"Local commercial agency advice is that the building’s size is over double the area that would suit requirements made by potential occupiers in the area.

"The development will help to promote and support employment growth and stimulate further economic growth within the area, cohesive with regional and local aspirations.

"It is anticipated that the development will act as a catalyst for further regeneration to create a number of new jobs and investment for the local community."

Proposals include creating a mixture of "standalone, semi-detached and terraced units" and a central shared yard with offices overlooking it.

Cycle parking will also be provided, along with parking for 108 cars, which will include 15 accessible spaces.

Developers said companies using the units may need 24-hour access, and delivery vehicles would enter the site through "controlled barrier entry points" off Alec Issigonis Way.

The application added: "Landscaping has been considered and complements the existing mature landscaping belts along Hollow Way and Garsington Road.

The sorting office off Garsington Road, which was known as Oxford Mail Centre, closed its doors to its 450 workers in June 2009, moving Royal Mail's sorting operations from the city to Swindon.

Peter Micklem, of Bennett Crescent, Cowley, raised concerns about the effect of development on the area’s character, as well as noise and disturbance during demolition work.

He added: "I am, in principle, in favour of the site being redeveloped as there is no benefit in having an empty building, and the car park is beginning to look derelict as weeds are growing.

"This end of the business park is surrounded on three sides by residential properties, therefore it should be at least as sympathetic in character to the residential housing as the rest of the site.

"It deserves a building of high architectural merit rather than giant shed-like industrial units. The local area needs office blocks, not semi-industrial units with loading bays for articulated lorries."

Residents have until March 23 to comment on the application 16/00177/FUL.