THE man who has overseen major planning decisions in Oxford over the past 13 years, Michael Crofton-Briggs, is standing down.

Oxford City Council has confirmed that Mr CroftonBriggs, has volunteered to take retirement and will leave at the end of the month.

He will be 60 next year.

Mr Crofton-Briggs has been heavily involved in some of the biggest developments and regeneration schemes seen in Oxford since the war, including the redevelopment of the Westgate shopping centre.

He became a target for strong criticism over his role in the Castle Mill controversy, which saw Oxford University being allowed to build student accommodation blocks on the edge of Port Meadow.

The decision sparked a twoyear campaign of opposition in Oxford, a legal challenge and a revolt by university dons.

City council leader Bob Price paid tribute to Mr Crofton-Briggs’ contribution to the council.

He said: “Michael has been an outstanding planning officer, and has been deeply involved in the wide range of regeneration projects that are currently under way across the city.

“He has been key to the Westgate and Oxpens developments, as well as the Northern Gateway and Barton.

“He was also responsible for setting up the county’s destination management organisation, Experience Oxfordshire, and the innovative Design Review Panel which assesses and advises on all major development projects.

“We will miss his professionalism and his wise advice on the many tricky planning issues that arise in a heritage city.”

David Edwards, the council’s executive director of city regeneration and housing, said: “Michael has requested retirement to pursue other interests. The council has agreed to this request.

“He will leave with our best wishes having developed the city’s planning service over the past 13 years.”

Oxford Mail:

The Castle Mill development alongside Port Meadow

Toby Porter, of the Save Port Meadow campaign, said: “Planning is an unforgiving business. Whatever else he has achieved for the city, the enduring legacy of his time in this position will be the despised Castle Mill buildings, brought to life by one of the worst planning decisions for decades, not just in Oxford but the UK.”

He said an initial failure to insist that Oxford University carried out an Environmental Impact Assessment and to recognise the significance of the concerns of the council’s own heritage officer were causes for regret.

Mr Porter added: “In almost any other institution in the country other than Oxford City Council and Oxford University, heads would have rolled long ago.

“The first priority for his successor in the role will be to restore the battered reputation of the council as trustworthy guardians of our city’s heritage and, by implication, to ensure that such a disaster never happens again.”

A city council spokesman said Mr Crofton-Briggs would not be available for interview.