OXFORD Brookes University has confirmed it will begin to move its teaching facilities from Wheatley next year.

As revealed by the Oxford Mail earlier this month, academic departments – including the 2,500-student business school – are to be relocated to Headington.

In a statement yesterday the university added it expected to have completed the move by 2022, as part of a major shake-up of its estate.

Registrar Paul Large said a 10-year strategy had been agreed, largely in response to the completion of the John Henry Brookes Building which opened last year. 

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He said: “The building was a major investment and once it was in place there was a need to review our plan for the rest of the estate. 

“This is about putting it in a better position for the future, but there is still a lot to be resolved.” 

The 10-year strategy sets out how the university aims to use existing campuses more efficiently, with refurbishment projects planned at Gipsy Lane, in Headington, and Harcourt Hill. 

Under the new plans, costing £13m per year, the business school at Wheatley will move to Gipsy Lane as early as the 2016/17 academic year. 

Patrick Coulter, chairman of residents’ group Headington Action, said the university had offered to meet residents. 

He said: “Our main concerns would be traffic and parking.

“We would want them to update their sustainable travel plan as a result of this.” 
Oxford City Council leader Bob Price said: “We will be working closely with the university on the planning, transport and housing implications.” 

It has not yet been decided where the school of technology will be moved. 
Student accommodation – which financially sustains itself – is expected to stay at Wheatley for the time being. 

The university aims for the move to result in no compulsory job losses among its 400 facilities staff, Mr Large said, many of whom work across multiple campuses. 

This is expected to be achieved by moving those at Wheatley to other campuses as jobs become available, and ceasing to hire, allowing a gradual turnover of staff to reduce numbers. Academic staff will be relocated with their departments. 

Yesterday university Unison branch chairman Jon Appleton said union representatives had met with university management to discuss the plan. 

He said: “We have known this was a possibility for some years, but we have only recently been told about this decision. 

“We will be looking for more clarity as early as possible on this, but so far we understand there will not be a huge impact on facilities staff because a significant number of students will for now remain at Wheatley.” 

Mr Large said no “exit strategy” for Wheatley was decided yet, but all options – including a sale of the land or leasing it – would be considered. 

In 2010 the site was estimated to be worth up to £24m. 

It has been considering since 2010 how to reduce its estate by 15 per cent for 2020 and is also committed to reducing carbon emissions. 

Mr Large said redeveloping the Wheatley campus – which harbours buildings from the 1960s and 70s – would be too expensive. 

The site is also understood to be the least popular among students, most of whom travel there by bus from Oxford to attend lectures and seminars. 

The Brookes announcement was welcomed by Oxford East MP Andrew Smith, who added: “It’s very important the university maintains good relations and close consultation both with affected residents in Headington and Harcourt Hill, and with their staff.”


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