Oxford Plans Labs & Offices Replacing Vue Cinema Near Kassam

They want to rebuild Ozone Leisure Park. Vue cinema on Grenoble Road may disappear. New labs, offices, and community areas could take its place. This ties into a bigger plan for Grenoble Road. That plan includes three thousand new homes. These homes will link to the science park nearby.

Some worry about losing the leisure options there. Blackbird Leys residents may become frustrated. One councilor feels it’s a missed chance, saying it won’t help with housing or leisure. The city could have required leisure use to stay. Housing contributions should also be mandatory there, he adds. He sees it happening near the Kassam site.

Oxford United might move to Kidlington. The Kassam Stadium next to Ozone Park may be rebuilt too. The Ozone project wants community input. They aim to create a science and community hub. The project hopes it will boost jobs and inspire the area.

The plan mixes labs with community programs. They want to enhance opportunity. They plan over 500,000 square feet for offices and labs. Leisure and community spaces are important, and they want the community to help design those spaces. Community events in February and March will gather ideas.

The city’s Vue cinema will likely close. The Odeon also recently closed. Only Curzon remains in the city center. The Ultimate Picture Palace offers independent films. This project wants to restart the stalled Grenoble Road plans, called South Oxford Science Village.

Oxford council approved plans in 2021. Still, no applications were given. A councillor stressed the area’s importance. She asked about keeping a cinema there and also affordable food and drink. Developers did not plan a cinema but mentioned possible public film screenings anyway.

They said many new jobs would come and local schools could gain support. Residents may dislike losing the park’s leisure spots like the lanes. Councillors must ensure the community benefits from the plan. Magdalen College seeks sustainable development at Grenoble Road, mentioning new homes and science park growth. The plan includes better walking and cycling paths, services like schools and retail space, improved bus routes, and the Cowley Branch Line reopening.

One group suggests prioritizing affordable housing. They think Oxford should stop expanding jobs, suggesting other areas for science instead.