University reveals residential redevelopment plans for campus site
Oxford Brookes University has announced plans to redevelop and sell its Wheatley Campus.
GVA has been providing planning advice to the university and are taking the site to market.
Situated just off the A40, the 53.4 acre site lies seven miles south east of Oxford city centre. It is currently home to a number of buildings that provide student residential accommodation, learning spaces and social venues.
However, the university says many of the buildings were constructed in the 1950s and are no longer deemed fit for purpose.
It plans to relocate functions to its Headington Campus and sell the land for residential development.
GVA helped the university submit a planning application for the site which would enable the development of up to 500 homes, including one to four-bedroom homes and one and two-bedroom flats. Of the total, 40% – or around 200 properties – will be affordable.
Robert Gardner, GVA, said: “South Oxfordshire District Council earmarked the Wheatley Campus site as suitable for housing in its Emerging Local Plan and the site is well positioned to act as a natural extension to the existing village.
“We have worked closely with Oxford Brookes throughout the process, providing advice on a range of matters and helping the university ensure that the planning application takes into consideration both the institution’s aspirations and feedback garnered from the local community.
“The site represents a significant development opportunity in an outstanding location and we are confident that a suitable development partner will be found in short order.”
GVA is now bringing the site to market to find a suitable development partner.
As part of the University’s 10-year estates investment plan, all academic, research and ancillary functions are due to relocate from the Wheatley Campus by 2021/22.
Director of estates and facilities management at Oxford Brookes University, Sue Holmes, said: “We’re working towards a student-centred, integrated and sustainable estate which reinforces our position as a leading university.
“Over the last two years, we have worked with GVA on developing proposals for the Wheatley Campus site. An outline planning application has now been submitted, having been informed by feedback from local representatives and community members. ”
