Securing swift approval for a major redevelopment to benefit students and the community while respecting sensitive heritage context

Univ North Multigenerational Collegiate Community

Univ North is a landscape-driven, multigenerational community in North Oxford, built around an existing care home and college accommodation site. The client engaged us as part of the team to provide planning and heritage consulting services.

The challenging site required a careful and considerate approach. Set among historic orchards and gardens, within a Victorian conservation area, plans emphasizing the landscape, ecology, and biodiversity were crucial for the project’s success. The principle of different users and generations coming together also played a vital role, promoting interaction and connectivity between the different types of accommodation and community facilities.

Our team, working closely with the client and architect, secured a planning approval in just 10 months despite these challenges. We achieved this through thorough engagement with the local council and key community stakeholders, who helped shape the proposals and enabled the eventual support for the application.

This expansion represents the largest one by the University College Oxford since the 18th century. Comprised of seven new three-story buildings, alterations to existing buildings, a children’s nursery, and accommodation for undergraduates, postgraduates, and fellows, it is intended to benefit the student experience. This will also reduce pressure on the local housing market.