THE redevelopment of one of Oxford’s historic features has been welcomed by a community leader as an “excellent use of the building”.

After studying plans to transform the former Ruskin College into student accommodation, Paul Hornby, of Jericho Community Association, said: “We have got no objection to the size and context of it.”

Exeter College also wants to create teaching rooms, a lecture theatre and cafe at the building, in Walton Street, after acquiring it for £7m in 2010.

Mr Hornby said: “There are one or two concerns. They are proposing a wall in Worcester Place which is just an invitation for graffiti artists, so we are hoping to get some planting on it.

“But the developers have been very helpful and forthcoming.”

As part of the proposals for the building, constructed in 1912, the stairs leading in will be removed and a Parisian-style roof created out of stainless steel. The shape of the building will create two new quadrangles which will have cloisters made up of timber “fins”.

A planning application for the building has now been submitted to Oxford City Council.

In a statement Exeter College said it was “extremely constrained within its Turl Street site in the centre of Oxford, and this project represents a unique opportunity for it to satisfy its accommodation needs within a new campus close to the main site.

“It will represent an entirely new model for a college campus – not a residential dormitory, but a fully-fledged third quad, complete with a meeting hall, meeting rooms, archive facilities, and a new learning commons”.

It would be a unique student facility combining a social area with cafe, and a quiet space for private study.

“Given that Ruskin College has moved, it is difficult to envisage a more appropriate new use than as a third quad for Exeter College,” the statement added.

It is hoped building work will be completed in time for Exeter College’s 700th anniversary next year.

Exeter has said it will maintain some of the building’s links to the past, including the carved plaque over the main entrance which reads “Ruskin College” and the memorial inscriptions below the windows in Walton Street.

It will also restore and clean all facades of the building, and the pavement in front of the college will be widened.

Ruskin College was founded in 1899 to educate working class students in Oxford, based first in St Giles and, four years later, in Walton Street.

A decision on the plans will be made by a committee of city councillors at a date yet to be set.