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£20m press hall plans announced

Newsquest Oxfordshire has submitted a planning application to build a £20m press hall at its Osney Mead base. The new press would replace outdated machinery.

The newspaper publisher’s proposals are with Oxford City Council’s planning department and have yet to be discussed. Consultation is now taking place with interested parties.

The Oxford Mail, The Oxford Times, Oxford Star, Swindon Evening Advertiser, Herald series, Bicester Advertiser and Witney Gazette are all printed at Osney Mead.

Newsquest Oxfordshire managing director Shamus Donald said: “This major investment would enhance our newspapers to the benefit of readers and advertisers.

“Oxford is forging an international reputation for fostering new, innovative businesses and we believe a state-of-the-art newspaper production facility would reinforce that image.”

Planning officers are now looking at how the new building would affect the views of Oxford, the green belt, a nature conservation area, and the flood plain.

The new press hall would extend the existing building. It would take in the area currently occupied by the staff restaurant and as part of the work a new restaurant and replanned car park would be created.

Some 300 staff work at Newspaper House, but Newsquest does not expect the new press would cause the total number employed there to increase.

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