Oxford Street Development Corporation seeks panel members to help shape the future of the nation’s favourite shopping street

The Oxford Street Development Corporation (OSDC) which took on responsibility as the Local Planning Authority for the Mayoral Development Area (MDA) from 10 August is now looking for people to help shape the future of the area.

OSDC is looking to recruit approximately 20 panel members to form the ‘Community Place Shaping Panel’ which will help to influence new developments around Oxford Street, ensuring residents, workers and visitors have a voice in influencing planning power.

The panel will be encouraged to bring their lived experiences and local knowledge to discussions around new development opportunities, and is aimed at residents, employers and employees, students or regular visitors to Oxford Street. Recruitment encourages a mix of diversity, and the panel seeks to be representative of not only central London, but with acknowledgement to the wider reach of Oxford Street as the nation’s high street.

Nabeel Khan, CEO of the OSDC, said:

“As OSDC works to transform Oxford Street into a leading destination for retail, next-generation workplaces, leisure, culture and hospitality, it is critical we consider the needs of those who live, work and study in the area, and ensure we are making the right decisions for those people today and in the future.

Our focus for the wider transformation of the Oxford Street area has been on exceptional design quality, inclusion and sustainability. We believe that also must include the voices of those who use the spaces the most often and make informed decisions that work for everyone.”

Anne Ogundiya, Chief Planner of the OSDC, said:

“This is an exciting time in the transformation of Oxford Street and the surrounding area, as we work to reimagine, revitalise and repair the area, ensuring that the decisions we make have a lasting benefit.

The nation’s high street should reflect the needs of the nation.  Whilst most panel members will have a connection to the local area, we also want to explore the opportunity of including panel members who can bring lived experience from elsewhere.

We are particularly looking for people who have a passion for the area whose voices may not traditionally be heard in conversations about its future.  Their insight, experience and willingness to collaborate, will help make this a panel that can genuinely influence positive change.”

Applicants will need to apply to join the Oxford Street Community Place Shaping Panel and commit to a two-hour meeting held once a month on a Wednesday evening. Full training and development will be provided to support members in giving constructive advice on new development proposals.

The OSDC team is working closely with Frame Projects who is developing the Panel, supporting recruitment and will provide reports and feedback for Panel meetings.

Deborah Denner from Frame Projects said:

“We are delighted to be continuing to support the OSDC as they develop the planning framework for the Mayoral Development Area.

We have helped create the Planning Quality Review Panel and are looking forward to bringing a diverse, but passionate group of people together to ensure the Community Place Shaping Panel are driven to help support the transformation of the area.”

For more information and an application pack go to https://www.frame-projects.co.uk/oxford-street-panel-member-recruitment

For more information, please contact the OSDC press office on press@oxfordstreet.org.uk or 07391 433457