Fears university will 'overdevelop' (From The Oxford Times)

Fears university will 'overdevelop'

7:00am Friday 2nd September 2011 in News By Damian Fantato

RESIDENTS are calling for a “strategic plan” and new parking measures for Headington following the approval of a major university development.

Plans for the controversial Oxford University campus in Old Road in Headington were passed by Oxford City Council on Wednesday night.

The council’s planning review committee gave the £57m scheme the go-ahead after the original approval was called in for review by a group of 18 councillors.

Concerns had been raised over the “overbearing” design of the three-storey buildings and lack of parking for the 150 extra staff.

And residents now want a plan drawn up to control any future development, such as the university’s plans for the Park Road hospital site.

City councillor Tony Brett, who chaired the meeting, said: “The fact that everybody had their chance to get their views across is good, and there were very strong arguments both ways.

“Nothing is without its downsides but the committee decided on balance to approve.We’d like to see a controlled parking zone (CPZ) in the Divinity Road area. The university can offer money but cannot implement a CPZ.”

Oxford University has agreed to pay an increased sum of £257,000 towards transport infrastructure measures which could include a CPZ permit parking scheme.

Oxfordshire County Council are responsible for implementing CPZs. Residents were also concerned about the risk of flooding of nearby Boundary Brook and Lye Valley, a site of special scientific interest.

But three tanks have been included in the plans to collect surface water and release it at a controlled rate.

The buildings will house the new Nuffield Department of Medicine and the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology which is moving from London. Four existing buildings will be demolished to make way for the development.

Prof William James, the university’s pro-vice chancellor for planning and resource allocation, said the university was “an important part of the local economy” and the proposal formed an essential part of its continued research.

The development will be used for research into conditions such as arthritis and dementia.

Headington Action Group chairman Patrick Coulter said: “We are not against research but what we need is a strategic plan for the area so that all these developments can be looked at properly.

“Otherwise they are just ad hoc incremental decisions.”

City councillor David Rundle echoed this. He said: “I think the decision was made blindfolded and I regret we’re looking at one big proposal which is actually a small detail in the bigger picture.

“I wish there could have been a more strategic view, but as a councillor for the area we have to accept the result.

“It is now my job to work with residents and the university to try to minimise the negative impacts this could have.

“People in Headington recognise the advantages of the university but with those advantages come problems.”