A VISION of how Oxford Brookes could look in the future has been unveiled.

The university has released a draft masterplan for its Harcourt Hill and Wheatley campuses for public consultation.

It includes plans for a new piazza, lecture theatres and the demolition of out-of-date buildings.

Oxford Brookes spokesman George O’Neill said: “This is the outline of potentially what we could do in the decades ahead. Our campuses have been put together in a very piecemeal fashion, so this gives a more long-term plan about what could be done.”

The plans at Harcourt Hill in North Hinksey include a piazza, designed to create a “new, welcoming entrance to the campus”.

Vehicles would only be allowed around the edge of both campuses, with more cycling routes and pedestrian paths.

New student accommodation and academic buildings could also be constructed.

Central to the masterplan for the Wheatley campus is a new access road to the university, diverting traffic away from Wheatley village. Work on this should begin next year. Planning permission for the road was granted earlier this year.

The masterplan also prioritises the demolition of the “out of date” tower block and building of a new library, lecture theatres, teaching rooms and refectory.

Mr O’Neill said: “The students are now investing more of their personal money and their expectations of universities are increasing. So we are investing in their experience and provision, improving the quality of our facilities at all our sites.”

The masterplans will be kept by South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse district councils when determining future planning applications.

Mr O’Neill said it was too early to discuss funding for any of the plans.

He added: “We are very keen to get the views of the local community, looking at the potential of our campuses.”

Wheatley resident Carole Newman said: “The tower in Wheatley is a monstrosity and a blot on the landscape. So it would be a good thing for the village to reduce the height of the buildings there.

“And I’m concerned about the building of the new access road potentially clashing with the building of a new reservoir near here. That would have a big impact on such a small village.”

  • The consultation runs until October 28. Documents can be viewed at westwaddy-adp.co.uk or in hard copy at Botley Library, Wheatley Library, both district council offices or at the Harcourt Hill and Wheatley campus receptions. Comments can be submitted to consultation@westwaddy-adp.co.uk or to West Waddy ADP, 60 East St Helen Street, Abingdon, OX14 5EB. Exhibitions will also run at both campuses on Friday, October 12, from 2pm until 8pm and Saturday, October 13, from 1pm until 5pm. Any proposals would need the relevant planning permission if pursued in the future.