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Having apparently lost £82 million on the stockmarket between 1999 and 2002, allegedly in an old Houseman's disastrous Far Eastern gamble, Oxford's cathedral college Christ Church is desperate to recoup its losses, is trying to build in the historic flood plain hamlet of Binsey, and... |
THE fight to save two historic West Oxford hotels from demolition is back on after developers lodged an appeal at the 11th hour.
Christ Church wanted to bulldoze the River and Westgate Hotels in Botley Road to make way for a new 34-bedroom hotel, shop and 17 two-bedroom riverside flats.
But city councillors unanimously rejected the proposals in April, and accused the college of being "unneighbourly".
Now Christ Church, which owns the freeholds of the two hotels, has taken its case to a Government planning inspector.
Pat Jones, owner of the River Hotel, said it would be a great loss for the area if the buildings were demolished. She said: "It is like having the rug pulled from under you when you have built up your business over the years. I am in no-man's land now."
Susanna Pressel, city councillor for Osney, said: "If they do go ahead they can be sure that we will fight it every inch of the way. Christ Church lost its appeal last year against our decision to refuse permission for houses in Binsey village, and British Waterways recently lost its appeal against our decision about Jericho canalside site, so it is not always the big boys who win."
Dr Jonathan Wright, acting treasurer for Christ Church, said the plans were part of a bigger scheme to revitalise the city's West End. He said: "We are very much hoping we can reach an agreement which protects everybody's interests and helps the city council and the West End work towards a brilliant new future."
Built in the 1870s, the River Hotel is widely regarded as one of the most historically important in the city. It was the home of former Oxford mayor, Thomas Henry Kingerlee, and features high-level pointed and stained glass windows. The Westgate Hotel was formerly Dodson's Temperance Hotel and later the Station Hotel
Comments about the plans should be sent to The Planning Inspectorate, Room 3/04b Kite Wing, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol BA1 6PN quoting reference APP/G3110/A/05/1193797 by December 26.