PLANS to decarbonise a university campus, the redevelopment of a social club into flats and new signs at Oxford Brookes University are among the latest planning applications submitted to Oxford City Council.

• New geo-exchange heating and cooling system

Oxford Brookes University has applied for the installation of a ‘geo-exchange heating and cooling system’ at its Headington campus.

The planning statement for the application reads: “The project will comprise of the design and installation of a geo-exchange heating and cooling system to displace gas use in the existing heating system at Oxford Brookes University, for the purpose of improvement by decarbonising heating and cooling and hot water supply.”

The construction phase is anticipated to last for up to 15 weeks.

Subject to planning permission, work is likely to begin in December and be completed by the end of March next year, subject to weather conditions.

Planning reference: 21/02420/FUL

• Social club redevelopment

A new three-storey building is planned as part of the redevelopment of the Gladiator Club in Iffley Road.

Proposals outline that single storey buildings to the southeast side of an existing three-storey building will be demolished and be replaced by a new three-storey building.

The new building will consist of two upper floors providing four two-bedroom and three one-bedroom flats.

A planning and heritage statement submitted with the application reads: “Redevelopment of the existing club facilities to provide replacement community space at ground floor level with seven one and two-bed flats at first and second floor level.

“This application is made following the grant of planning permission two years ago for a very similar development, in terms of appearance and form albeit with the upper floors then being proposed for student rooms.

“Since then we undertook a pre-application dialogue with Oxford City Council which has been taken into account in this scheme as now presented.

“The proposed development includes the erection of a new building comprising dwellings, private and communal amenity areas and a new and improved social space at ground floor level with associated facilities and works.

“This is a scheme to redevelop what is considered an underused site, and to provide more housing in a city that has a large need for more housing.”

Planning reference: 21/02419/FUL

• University signs

In addition to the heating and cooling system, Oxford Brookes University has applied for one internally illuminated fascia sign and one non-illuminated, also at its Headington campus.

A cover letter for the application reads: “The Business School is an integral part of the university’s Headington campus and brings together two interrelated areas, the School of Hospitality Management and the Business School.

“The two schools offer a number of undergraduate, postgraduate and foundation courses.

“The school has an international mix of students and staff from over 90 countries and its global MBA course is ranked as one of the best in the country.

“The school is housed in a three-storey building in the northeastern corner of the campus.

“It is linked to other university buildings to the east.

“Being a corner building, it is prominent from both Gipsy Lane and Headington Road.

“To the immediate south, there is a landscaped quad that defines the western entrance campus.

“From both roads, mature trees offer a good level of natural screening of the building.

“The entirety of the Headington campus falls within the Headington conservation area.

“The Business School wishes to improve the presence of the building by adding in two fascia signs on the eastern elevation facing Gipsy Lane and the southern elevation facing the internal quad.

“Both signs will consist of individual aluminium lettering to spell out ‘Oxford Brookes Business School’ in striking capital letters.

“The lettering on the eastern elevation will be positioned just below the eaves so it can be more easily seen from Gipsy Lane.”

Planning reference: 21/02298/ADV