Client: The Osborne Group

Project: The buildings of the former Castle and Prison are about to be developed into an hotel, restaurant, shopping and heritage complex, with market stalls and open courtyards for performances.

Services provided by GDG: Project and Construction Management, Planning Supervisor and Principal Contractor.

Project Value: £24.5 million

Construction Date / Period: October 2002 - ongoing

Description of Facility: The conversion of the former prison, which incorporates buildings from the 11th to the 20th centuries, into an hotel. The site area has listed buildings of all grades -I, II* and II - and a scheduled monument. It also lies in a conservation area. The project involves repair and re-use of historic buildings, demolition of some elements, new buildings in a historic context.  Conversion of prison into a new hotel with the construction of a new wing linked to prison. Construction of new buildings for education, residential, retail, bars and restaurants.


Identified Risks:

  • Scheduled Ancient Monument

  • Listed buildings

  • Sensitive Planning & conservation

  • Area Consents issues

  • High public profile

  • Multi-stakeholders inputs

  • Nationally significant Archaeology

  • Restricted site & access

  • Fixed budget with tight cost controls

  • Multi-designer appointments

  • Significant public funding

Background: Oxford Castle is the site of William the Conqueror's motte and bailey castle built soon after the Norman Conquest of 1066, in 1071.

A stone keep was built on the top of the Mound, and soon towers and walls were added to increase the defences.  The Shire Hall was where the courts were held, and the gaol was within the walls.  Oxford Castle held the county gaol, then HM Prison Oxford, until 1996, when the Prison was closed and returned to Oxfordshire County Council.

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