Uncompromising style (From The Oxford Times)
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Uncompromising style
8:50am Thursday 17th May 2012 in Letters
Sir – There’s a new house on Osney Island, clearly visible from Botley Road, which has caused some controversy, because it has been built in an uncompromisingly modern style. Your correspondent (Letters, May 10) asks how it managed to get planning permission in a conservation area.
It did not go to a planning committee, but was decided by officers, as most small applications are nowadays. The officers often say that they are not keen on pastiche or imitation and they feel that “it is entirely appropriate that conservation areas include new-build of good design”.
They decided that since this house is fairly small and tucked away, it would, in their view, actually “enhance the character and appearance of the conservation area”.
The full report can be read on the city council’s website or in the office opposite the Town Hall. Opinion on Osney Island seems fairly evenly divided on this issue. Personally I’m being careful not to take sides!
Susanna Pressel, City councillor for Jericho and Osney Ward, county councillor for West Central Oxford Oxford
Sophia says...
7:53pm Thu 17 May 12
Generally the ultra conservatism of architcture in Oxford makes it a dull, conformist place. Neo Victorian gothic - a pastiche of a pastiche of a pastiche. 30 semis. A few beautiful 18th century and mediaeval buildings in the Disney world of the Uni. Utterly banal modern Uni buildings like the Bod extension. Only in some colleges do you find the money and the spirit to build graceful and interesting modern buildings.
So this house is a welcome deviation from dull conformity. IMHO.