New development corporation becomes planning authority for Oxford Street area

The development corporation set up by Sadiq Khan to oversee the pedestrianisation of London’s Oxford Street has officially become the planning authority for the area.

From today, the Oxford Street Development Corporation (OSDC) will take on responsibility for planning functions for the newly established mayoral development area from Westminster and Camden councils.

Khan said the new planning functions were essential to ensure the transformation of the shopping street, Europe’s busiest, could provide certainty to developers and long-investors across the area.

It means that new planning applications for Oxford Street must now be submitted to the OSDC, which will make decisions on whether they are approved, deferred or rejected.

Works to prepare the section of the world-famous shopping street between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street are expected to start by the end of this summer, although the target date for removing traffic has been pushed back from September to late October.

Public realm practice East is leading on this initial 1km stretch of pedestrianised street while Hawkins\Brown is working on a wider masterplan for the entire street up to Tottenham Court Road.

East’s plans are still in development although it is understood the practice has been looking at the potential for installing a structural ‘crown’ on top of the four quarter buildings which surround Oxford Circus which would support a giant circular screen.

The practice is also aiming to significantly increase the amount of greenery on the street and introduce new paving, water features and seating.

Khan’s decision to establish the OSDC comes after the mayor’s original plans to pedestrianise the street, designed by Publica, were blocked by Westminster council in 2018 due to concerns over the impact of increased traffic on surrounding streets.

The mayor said: “The transfer of these planning powers allows the OSDC team to take forward new designs and developments and turn the area into a world-leading destination, while ensuring its unique character and cultural heritage are enhanced.”

Nabeel Khan, the chief executive of the OSDC, added: “The transfer of these new planning powers is a critical moment for OSDC as we transform Oxford Street into a leading destination for retail, next-generation workplaces, leisure, culture and hospitality.

“We will be able to help to shape the wider transformation of the Oxford Street area, with a focus on exceptional design quality, inclusion and sustainability.”