Fresh plans have been lodged for student accommodation next to a controversial plaque in the city centre. 

Oriel College at the University of Oxford submitted a new planning application in August for the former office building at 7 King Edward Street after a previous scheme was withdrawn in July.

The new flats would be right next to a plaque commemorating Cecil Rhodes, an empire builder who was alumnus and donor to the college.

This comes as Oriel College continues to display a statue of the figure on its building facing the High Street which some protesters have demanded ought to be taken down due to Mr Rhodes' links to the slave trade.

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The plaque in King Edward Street off High Street

The proposed change of use includes internal alterations to the existing offices which would not affect the external appearance of the building.

The scheme's planning statement said the last application was withdrawn because comments from the case officer “expressed concerns about the provision of student accommodation in the basement rooms because of an alleged lack of outlook and natural light.”

It added: “The case officer advised that there would be no objection to the basement being used for ancillary purposes such as kitchens or retained as offices. This application seeks to retain the basement rooms as offices, but otherwise the proposals remain much as before.
“The development would improve the energy efficiency of the building and would not cause noise problems to neighbouring residential properties. The use would be consistent with the use of other buildings nearby, adding vitality to this part of the city centre.

New planning application (Image: Newsquest)

“The use of the offices by third parties ceased in December 2022, since which time the College has used them for staff offices with five occupants who are vacating the space in October this year. The offices were previously occupied by Wellers, which company still occupies 8 King Edward St.”

The new plan includes nine student rooms, with three on each floor above ground level. 
An Historic England map of listed buildings refers to the Rhodes plaque as a "fine example of an outdoor commemorative plaque by a notable sculptor, Onslow Whiting, dating to 1906".

It cites historical interest "for the association of the plaque and 6 King Edward Street with Cecil Rhodes, a nationally and internationally important individual, whose life and work impacted fundamentally on the story of British imperialism in southern Africa in the late 19th century".

No public comments in support or objection had been submitted by Friday, September 13. 

For more details about the plans online, search 24/02001/FUL on Oxford City Council's planning portal.