22nd February 2005

Oxfordshire Green Party are today releasing their long awaited, well researched response to Oxford's Westgate Masterplan - the plan from the Westgate Partnership to expand the Westgate Shopping Centre incorporating new housing and offices.

The report expresses scepticism about the need for additional shopping with the rise of internet retailing but goes on to make recommendation for the new developmetn and sets out in detail with case studies four 'big ideas' - that will make the development 'fit for the future';

1. A 'green roof' to enhance biodiversity, provide public amenity, and reduce flooding from runoff

2. A lightweight tram link serving the site - providing a high quality, low cost public transport solution

3. A 'zero emission', energy efficient development which will eliminate all damaging greenhouse gas emissions

4. Making the development the heart of a new, publicly-owned 'Oxford Heat and Power' district heating system

Speaking at the release of the report Tom Lines, Oxford West and Abingdon Green Party PPC, who met with the Westgate Partnership in the course of preparing the document, said:

'The Green Party's proposals make the Westgate development part of the

solution for traffic and housing in Oxford, not part of the problem.

They look like a model for other developments by offering imaginative,

practical measures to limit the catastrophe of climate change.'

The full, detailed report is available at www.greenoxford.com/westgate.pdf

An advanced copy was sent to Westgate Partnership 10 days ago so that they had time to formulate a view on the recommendations. Contact details below.

Green Cllr. for Carfax Ward (where the Westgate is located) Sushila Dhall sits on the Westgate Working Group.

FMI:

Oxford West and Abingdon Green Party PPC Tom Lines Tel: 01865-559198

Westgate Partnership Contact: Jane McFarland, Group Development Manager

Direct Line: 020 7887 7016

Direct Fax: 020 7960 1261

Mobile: 07801 145289

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