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'Replacement cinema' plan for new science park

Transition by Design The Hollywood Bowl and Vue Cinema seen from the car park on a rainy day. They are large, boxy, red-brick buildings with some grey cladding.Transition by Design
The Vue Cinema and Hollywood Bowl would be demolished if plans go ahead

The developer behind a controversial plan to replace a leisure complex with science laboratories has said it is drawing-up plans for a replacement cinema.

Pioneer Group is proposing to demolish the Vue Cinema, Hollywood Bowl, restaurants, a bar, and other leisure amenities at the Grenoble Road site next to the Kassam Stadium in Oxford.

It also says the Priory pub, formerly Minchery Farmhouse, will be put "back into a sustainable long-term use, taking it off Historic England's 'at-risk' register".

The Grade II listed pub closed in 2013 and has remained empty.

An old two storey limestone public house with a tiled roof and some picnic benches outside
The Priory pub is listed as Minchery Farmhouse and dates back to around 1600

A petition to save the cinema and bowling alley has attracted more than 3,000 signatures.

The petition's organiser said news of the redevelopment "came like a heavy blow" and the facilities there "are more than just places of entertainment - they are significant parts of our shared cultural and social life. This closing will wipe away an integral part of our community's vibrancy and vitality."

Recently the Odeon cinemas on George Street and Magdalen Street closed down.

This leaves local film lovers with the Curzon, Phoenix Picturehouse, and independent cinema the Ultimate Picture Palace.

Pioneer Group said it is drawing up plans for a replacement cinema "at a scale that will be attractive to operators".

It is also exploring, what it is calling "other ideas for valuable community amenities".

The new development would feature 500,000 sqft (152,400 sqm) of office and laboratory space.

In a statement, Pioneer Group said the investment would generate at least 2,500 jobs and enhance local transport, including "financial support for the Cowley Branch Line".

Transition by Design An artist's aerial view of the site, with the area marked for development highlighted. The Kassam Stadium is next to it on the right.Transition by Design
Transition by Design is tasked with asking for community input into the project

A community consultation event will be held at the Ozone Leisure Park on 20th March.

Transition by Design say the event will be "an opportunity for the project team to engage with local residents, understand their priorities, and share thoughts, ideas, and aspirations for the site."

Landowner Firoka Group, developer Pioneer Group, and planning consultants Bidwells have previously said the leisure facilities will be replaced by a "vibrant science and community cluster".

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