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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... |
TWO of Oxford's most historic hotels are set to be demolished as part of a massive development planned by Christ Church.
Christ Church - the second wealthiest of the Oxford University colleges with assets worth £173m - owns the freeholds on the Westgate and River hotels in Botley Road. It wants to demolish them to make way for a new hotel and trendy riverside flats. The plans are due to go on show for the first time tonight.
Fiona Hedges, a member of the West Oxford Local History Group, appealed to Oxford City Council not to use "a sledgehammer to crack a nut". But the college maintains it is improving accommodation at the gateway to the city.
Ms Hedges, who has lived off the Botley Road for 25 years, said: "I can accept the replacement of the Westgate Hotel given that I recognise there is little to commend the building in its present state.But I protest against the demolition of the River Hotel, which I consider to be the most beautiful domestic building in West Oxford. The River Hotel would benefit from a lick of paint and it needs renovating internally, but please do not allow Christ Church to use a sledgehammer to pulverise a nut - and thereby throw the baby out with the bath water. Were the River Hotel in north Oxford it would be on the market for £1m upwards and there would be queues of potential purchasers."
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. If the application is successful the River Hotel will be turned into 17 luxury two-bedroom apartments, while the two-star Westgate Hotel -formerly Dodson's Temperance Hotel then the Station Hotel - will be demolished and replaced by a 35-bedroom hotel and shop. Although the application does not mention the River Hotel annexe, on the corner of Abbey Road, opponents fear this could also be demolished.
Christ Church treasurer Hugh Richardson said: "A lot of money will be put into both projects to make them work. This is an opportunity to improve hotel and accommodation facilities in Oxford. This is a major gateway to Oxford and it's important people have the best facilities that can be provided." Christ Church has employed property consultants FPD Savills to co-ordinate the project.
Local historian Malcolm Graham said: "The two hotels are part of the history of west Oxford and the development of that area. The River Hotel is a fine domestic, gothic villa similar to those built in north Oxford at the same time. The Westgate Hotel is not as grand, but it's part of the character of the Botley Road and still serves the function it was built for."
The plans are open to public inspection at the West Oxford Community Centre in Botley Road tonight from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.
giles.sheldrick@nqo.com