Plans for office with ski slope roof submitted to Oxford City Council

Plans to demolish a plumbers merchants on Stockmore Street, off Cowley Road, and replace it with a new glass and steel building have been submitted to Oxford City Council’s planning team.

The new office features a roof which resembles a series of ski slopes, forming waves which run up and down along the length of it.

According to the design drawings, some of these waves would be covered in turf and plants, and others would be made of metal and concrete.

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In a design statement submitted with the application, JPPC chartered town planners said the new building would have a ‘ contemporary design’ which ‘is innovative and would add visual interest to the streetscene’.

It added that the new building would be aimed at new businesses, known as start ups, looking for their first office.

The statement said: “The premise behind this form of development, more commonly known (and well regarded) in the business industry, is as incubators or co-working space. The concept consists of a work space environment to suit small and micro businesses with varying levels of business development."

Picture: Robin Swailes Design and Development

The plans, submitted to the council by Robin Swailes Architects, would replace a building at 33-37 Stockmore Street.

Though the building’s main entrance would be a on Stockmore Street to the south, the development would stretch into Temple Street to the north, where there would be another back entrance to the new offices.

There is currently an informal parking area outside the plumbers merchants, which allows workers to leave their cars outside.

But the new building would be larger than the current one, and is ‘proposed as car free’ according to the design statement.

A double yellow line on the street outside might be gotten rid of to make way for a new car space, but there would be cycle parking spaces on Temple Street and in the basement of the new building.

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Two residents of nearby streets have commented on the plans, submitted on January 31.

They have both objected to the new office building, with concerns it would be too big and cast shadows over homes either side.

David Lord of Temple Street said: “I strongly object to this development which introduces a large commercial building directly onto Temple Street, which is primarily a residential street, unlike the existing use which is restricted to access to a private car park.

"This would greatly alter the character and ambiance of the street for residents on the street.”

Stockmore Street as it currently looks. Picture: Google Maps.

Richard Lewis of Stockmore Street added: “The view along Stockmore Street will be dominated by the proposed development which is both in front of the existing housing line and higher than the roof line of the terraces on either side.

“The development should maintain the existing housing elevations as it does in Temple Street.”

But the design statement said the roof of the building, which varies between one and three-storeys in height had been designed to make sure it was not overbearing.

The company applying to demolish the merchants shop and redevelop the site, Robin Swailes Architects, has also recently submitted a plan for a similar scheme in Oxford city centre.

In January, Oxford City Council were sent plans to knock down the former Honey Pot pub on Hollybush Row, off Frideswide Square.

Developer Robin Swailes wanted to replace it with a five-storey building containing a hotel, flats and office space for start-ups.

When finished, the new glass and concrete building would resemble a bike helmet, according to a design statement.

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The city council has not yet made a decision about if the application should go ahead.

For more about the Stockmore Street application, search planning reference 20/00259/FUL on the Oxford City Council website.