PARTS of the building in a huge redevelopment of Oxford’s first power station could be constructed off-site and lifted in to avoid lorries causing disruption to neighbours.

The redevelopment of Osney Power Station could begin in the spring next year after plans for a 121-bedroom teaching centre were unveiled to the public.

Said Business School has revealed proposals to transform the building into an ‘executive education centre’ for mature professionals on short-stay courses.

Residents have expressed concerns over construction vehicles using Arthur Street leading to Oxford University to explore building the structure off-site.

Early drawings show plans to enlarge the existing station – currently used to store artefacts of Oxford University museums – sparking fears it would be too big.

Oxford Preservation Trust director Debbie Dance said care was needed with the subsequent designs to make sure the development was not too bulky and remained sensitive to the area.

She said: “We are pleased that Said Business School want to incorporate some of its character into their new designs but are concerned to ensure that care is taken with the extra building on the site – so that the overall bulk of the building does not dominate from above as well as being sensitive to the neighbourhood.”

In its plans, Oxford University promised to repair the brick frontage of the power station – officially closed in 1968 – and make sure the new construction complements the existing roof.

The 121 bedrooms would be spread across four of the five floors and there would be a courtyard, dining areas and an ‘agora’ central meeting space.

A second consultation will be held in May, following discussions with Oxford Design Review Panel, at which more details will be revealed.

Oxford City Council’s board member for corporate strategy and economic development, Bob Price, said: “The proposals as they are currently presented are unconvincing.

“The scale and height of the new building are disproportionate to the immediate neighbourhood and to Osney Island dwellings.

He added: “The design of such tall buildings will be crucial but it has not been shown in these images.”

Said Business School said its inhabitants would be ‘mature professionals’ from around the world staying for a week at a time.

The power station, opposite Osney Island, has been closed since 1968.

A statement from Oxford University said: “Where new construction is proposed, external cladding materials will be selected to complement the existing wall and roofing materials of the power station.”

It added that the new buildings would not be as tall as the existing parts of the power station.

Another public consultation will take place on March 21 in the Thatcher Business Education Centre at Said Business School.