A proposal for two new student accommodation blocks in Old Headington has been recommended for approval on May 23 by the planning officer.

The University of West London bought the Ruskin College site in 2021 and now wants to create two new buildings for its students. 

READ MORE: Travellers move onto site as 12 caravans pitch up

The plans, which were submitted to Oxford City Council in December, include demolishing the existing Bowen Building which currently has 24 bedrooms and replacing it with a new student accommodation providing 65 bedrooms.

A second 30-bedroom building has also been proposed to the east of the site in an area of open garden space and would be between two and three storeys in height.

A planning statement prepared by Vail Williams on behalf of the university said: “These development proposals are being sought as part of the university’s strategy to re-energise and to build a mixed institution providing higher and further education opportunities.”