Oxford park could partially close for £200m labs power link
Residents raise concerns as consultation continues on underground cable plans
An Oxford park could face a partial closure under plans to install an underground electricity cable serving the £200 million Fabrica laboratory development at the former DFS site in Botley.
Oxford City Council is consulting on a proposal that would allow Southern Electric Power Distribution to lay a cable beneath King George’s Playing Field and Oatlands Road Recreation Ground.
The council says work would likely be limited to part of the site, making a full park closure unlikely, and is expected to take around four weeks.
Some residents have raised concerns about the use of public green space for infrastructure linked to a private development, alongside questions over the consultation process.
The consultation closes at 5pm on June 19.