WORK has begun on the scheme to redevelop Oxpens to create a 500-home community with offices and research space, shops, restaurants and student flats.

The temporary car park in Osney Lane, which cost less than most others in the city at £8 per day, has now shut and work started to build the 500 student rooms.

This first phase of the project will be brought forward by student accommodation firm Student Castle.

The rest of the scheme will be handled by a joint venture between Oxford City Council and Nuffield College (OxWED).

OxWED said its process to select a development partner for that phase had been whittled down to three and a partner would be selected later this year.

OxWED board member Kevin Minns said: “Following the closure of the temporary car park on Osney Lane, Student Castle have commenced preparatory work for their student accommodation development that will provide more than 500 study bedrooms.

“This forms the first phase of the Oxpens scheme, with further residential and commercial development planned separately by OxWED.

The 150-space car park was run by UPark Holdings during the construction of the Westgate Centre after being given permission in July 2014.

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At the end of last year the firm tried to extend this permission for another 12 months claiming that car parking spaces in the city centre were yet to return to normal.

Oxford City Council, however, threw the application out, saying: "It is unacceptable due to the over-provision of city centre car parking leading to delays on arterial routes and would have a detrimental impact on highway safety and congestion."