The Oxford Street Development Corporation (OSDC) held its Second Board Meeting this morning, marking the next step in moving from establishment to operational delivery.
The meeting took place following the news yesterday that the Mayor of London has officially approved proposals to pedestrianise Oxford Street between Great Portland Street and Orchard Street.
The meeting saw new CEO Nabeel Khan provide his first update to the Board, outlining the initial work done to establish a visible presence for the OSDC (including the launch of a dedicated website - available here) and welcoming yesterday's announcement that the Mayor of London has officially approved proposals to pedestrianise Oxford Street.
The new CEO also gave his brief reflections on the Development Corporation's strategic priorities, with a vision focused on Clarity, Capacity and Culture, and announced his intention to share a proposed 100-day delivery plan in the coming week.
Following this, Board members were invited to approve the proposed committee structure, with Nabeel Khan highlighting the formal establishment of a Planning Committee as a top priority and strongly encouraging the committee to proceed with its establishment to avoid any operational risks as the OSDC acquires full planning powers.
Discussing the item, Cllr Geoff Barraclough (Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development at Westminster City Council) raised concerns around how to maintain democratic accountability as the OSDC takes on sweeping planning powers, suggesting that a clear political direction for what it will do with those powers is needed before a Planning Committee is established. The Board ultimately voted by majority to approve the proposed committee structure, including the establishment of the Planning Committee and appointment of Board Member Dr Margaret Casely-Hayford CBE as Chair.
Dr Casely-Hayford noted the Mayor of London is democratically elected, with the OSDC an instrument that will deliver on his priorities for the area and stated that she would work within this statutory framework, listen to residents and stakeholders and engage closely with Westminster City Council and Camden Council. Respective Council Leaders, Cllr Adam Hug (Westminster) and Cllr Richard Olszewski (Camden) signalled their intent to work constructively with the OSDC and support stakeholder engagement.
While the Committee can be constituted now, it will only begin exercising planning powers once those functions are formally transferred to the OSDC via the relevant statutory instrument, subject to completion of the parliamentary process, expected to take place in the Spring.