MULTI-MILLION pound plans offering a ‘once-in-a-generation’ opportunity to transform the heart of Cowley have finally been lodged with the council.

NewRiver has confirmed £60m-worth of proposals to ‘reinvigorate and revitalise’ Templars Square Shopping Centre have been submitted in a planning application to Oxford City Council.

It comes more than a year after the plans, dubbed ‘exciting’ by developers, were expected to be submitted to the council after NewRiver’s vision was unveiled to the public last July.

NewRiver property developer Allan Lockhart said the ‘milestone’ marked long overdue development at the Pound Way centre, which has served Cowley for the past 50 years.

He added: “The case for regeneration is absolutely clear and this is an excellent opportunity to reinvigorate the heart of the town centre with high quality and modern, yet sensitively designed, development that will be a source of real pride locally – not just for our large number of loyal shoppers but for the wider local community.”

More than 200 apartments, ranging from one to three-bed homes, will be built, with some helping to tackle the city’s shortage of affordable houses, developers claimed.

A hotel and restaurant space is expected to be created, along with improved pedestrian routes and street scene, upgraded car parking and new entrances to the centre.

About 57 jobs will be generated by the centre’s overhaul, as well as 300 construction jobs, developers confirmed.

The final proposals came after NewRiver held two public consultations involving more than 1,200 visitors.

Improved car parking and restaurant space, along with more pedestrian-friendly plans along Between Towns Road, were all included in plans after receiving ‘overwhelmingly’ positive feedback, NewRiver said.

Centre manager Owen Acland went on to say: “The vision for Templars Square is hugely exciting because it preserves what people like most – the mix of shops, the community feel, the welcoming atmosphere – while introducing the modernisation and step-change in quality that only substantial new investment can bring.

“The retailers and shoppers I’ve spoken to are completely behind us and understand the benefits it can deliver.”

NewRiver assured residents its plans will ‘preserve much-loved’ existing shops in the centre, as well as attracting more shoppers and encouraging longer visits to the area.

The development will also act as a catalyst, spurring further investment in Cowley, NewRiver suggested.

City councillor for Cowley David Henwood said he hoped jobs created would cater for residents living in the area and suggested apprenticeships should be offered to Cowley’s young people.

He added: “The centre is in need of regeneration and introduction of new quality jobs presents opportunities for Cowley residents.

“The development is large and concerns will be many, and we will be listening carefully to those concerns.

“I personally will be campaigning for a diagonal crossing in front of Templars Shopping Park [opposite Templars Square Shopping Centre] and 24 hour parking in the remaining car parks.”

Residents will now be able to see full detailed plans when the application is verified by city council planning officers. 

A drop-in session detailing the proposals is expected to be held by developers in January.