Oxford University has 'attractive buildings' demolition plan

Green Templeton College submitted the "major development" proposals in February 2022 for the demolition of a current accommodation building, squash courts, gardener's shed and the existing porter's lodge.

Three accommodation buildings to house 51 students, plus communal spaces, would be built in their place, with a decision set to be made at an Oxford City Council planning meeting on Tuesday next week.

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The clock tower and lodge building viewed from Woodstock Road. (Image: Google Maps.)

Committee members are recommended to approve the application.

A planning paper for the application states: "The purpose of this project is to improve a range of important facilities for the wider college community and the graduate students."

But the Oxfordshire Architectural and Historical Society is against the plans.

A submitted statement said: "Demolition of these buildings would be harmful to the setting of the listed buildings and to the appearance and character of the neighbouring conservation areas.

GTC site block plan. (Image: Oxford City Council.)

"The buildings have character and distinctive architectural details.

"We are struck by how wasteful of resources and energy it seems to be to knock down so many good, attractive and working buildings to build others."

It continued: "We doubt whether the original intention when building these buildings was to knock them down after around 40 years of use, and if it was, this kind of short life building is not tenable in the current climate situation."

The buildings earmarked for demolition are the porters' lodge, which includes the clock tower, as well as the Doll Building.

An officer insisted: "Officers note that the buildings are considered to not be of heritage significance, such that their removal is considered harmful.

Green Templeton College is situated near the Radcliffe Observatory.

"In relation to the comments submitted in respect of the loss of embodied carbon resulting from demolition of the existing buildings, officers consider that this would not in itself represent a material reason for refusing planning permission.

"Neither the existing Oxford Local Plan nor NPPF reference embodied carbon, where considering development proposals to demolish existing buildings."

Sport England and Natural England have not raised any objections to the application and Oxfordshire County Council said "the development will not lead to additional traffic generation significantly over and above the existing levels".

Other key elements of the proposal include a dining facility for more than 128 people and a study facility which "matches the demands and requirements of current students".

The proposal involves no additional parking space as planning papers reference there is "a mechanism already in place to prevent students from parking their cars anywhere on the site, other than a disabled vehicle".