KEBLE College’s plans for a £50m campus in North Oxford have been approved, despite city councillors’ concerns about a new research building to be constructed in Woodstock Road.

Keble had to substantially redraw its plans to redevelop the site of the former Acland private hospital, between Woodstock Road and Banbury Road, after objections to an original proposal to demolish a grade II-listed building.

The college is now to incorporate the building by the Victorian architect Sir Thomas Jackson into the new college quad.

But last Thursday, Oxford city councillors expressed unhappiness about another key element of the scheme — the glass-fronted multi- disciplinary research building to be created close to the Royal Oak pub.

Green Party councillor Elise Benjamin, who chaired the meeting, said: “There was a fairly strong feeling that the building was a little over-bearing.

“No one is against modern architecture but it seems a little bit too much for this site.

“With all that glass, members were also concerned about how bright it would be when lit up at night.

“It looks an interesting building. But if it could be set back a little, it would not be quite so imposing.

“The committee was supportive of the overall application, but was spilt about whether the research building is suitable in the form proposed.”

Ms Benjamin used her casting vote to add a condition that planning officers should look at the architectural detailing and use of materials of the research building.

Keble College warden Dame Averil Cameron said she was confident that the outstanding issues could be easily resolved.

She said: “We are pleased to get planning permission. We can now go ahead.

“It has taken a long time to meet criticisms from various parties in Oxford and address conservation issues raised by English Heritage and others.

“We are pleased that the Sir Thomas Jackson building is being kept and we believe that the scheme will be a wonderful addition to Oxford. There are conditions relating to the materials of the façade of the research building. But this has been delegated to the officers.”

Keble acquired the former Acland private hospital site four years ago for £10.75m.

The scheme will be one of the biggest college developments in the city since the war, creating a new quad, accommodation for 240 students and seminar rooms The development will be on the other side of the road from the £500m Oxford University quarter being created on the old Radcliffe Infirmary site.

Keble unveiled its original plans in February last year but withdrew them following opposition over the demolition of the Sir Thomas Jackson building, dating from 1897.

Colin Cook, city council executive member for the city centre, said: “The college has responded to previous concerns and the new accommodation will take students out of some private rented accommodation in the city, which is badly needed.”

The scheme is the work of Rick Mather, the architect responsible for the £61m redevelopment of the Ashmolean Museum and the £2.1m auditorium at Corpus Christi College.

Tony Joyce, chairman of Oxford Civic Society, said: “The revised application is a great improvement on the previous one, but we still have reservations about the research building on Woodstock Road.”

The Acland closed following the development of the Manor Hospital on Oxford United’s former ground in Headington.