Oxford's historic eyesore which can't be demolished

The former Chinese restaurant opposite the Westgate Centre is looking in a very poor state of repair.

But 29/29a Castle Street cannot be demolished because it is so historic that it is Grade II listed.

READ MORE: Popular riverside pub announces reopening date 

Tom Hassall OBE, who lives in west Oxford, has called for action and an end to the "downward spiral of neglect".

He said: "Last year Save Britain's Heritage, the independent voice on conservation, placed 29/29a on its own Buildings at Risk at Risk Register.

"Save recognised the fact this building contains within it remains of an original medieval structure.

"It is the only building ever to have occupied this site at the entrance to Oxford Castle. It is now the last remaining link to the wealth of vernacular buildings which once lined this street.

"It is to be hoped that the owner will carry out immediate repairs or, if not, that the city council will use its own powers of persuasion to ensure that this significant listed part of our city's heritage does not fall into further decay. 

"Ideally 29/29a should be totally restored and an appropriate new use found for it.

"Once restored it would form a key feature at the eastern entrance to the Oxford Castle Quarter."

The building was most recently used as a restaurant but it has been closed for a number of years. It is surrounded on all sites by large modern developments.

It is understood that the owners live abroad and the city council has been unable to contact them.

The building was listed Grade II in 1977, which dates the structure as late 17th century.

But conservation lobby group Save Britain's Heritage said it was even older.

A statement on its website says: "The year before the date of the listing, an unpublished set of notes and drawings, now lodged in the archive of the Oxfordshire History Centre, indicated that there is evidence of medieval roofing in the cellar, that two timber framed walls survive from the original superstructure and that there was a medieval roof running parallel to Castle Street, with king-struts, collars and clasped purlins.

"The notes also record that the structure is shown on Agas's map of 1578 between the Westgate and the castle bridge.  

"So this unassuming and neglected building is actually a highly significant structure in terms of Oxford's archaeology and represents an early stage of domestic encroachment on the castle outworks."

The heritage group concludes: "A way to get this building back into the care of those who understand its importance and can take the necessary remedial action is urgently needed.  We understand the council are working on this but it is not clear what action is proposed."

A spokesman for the city council said: "Historic England's Building at Risk Register only includes grade I and II* buildings. 29/29A Castle Street is grade II listed and so not on the register. We are aware of the very poor condition of the building and have sought to engage with the building owners but despite our efforts, communication from them continues to be limited."

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

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