Oxford University College ‘transformation’ plans approved

Mansfield College wants to demolish its John Marsh Building and replace it with a new four-storey building with students’ rooms, academic spaces, a new porter’s lodge and a junior common room (JCR).

The plans were discussed at the Oxford City Council planning committee meeting on Tuesday, May 26.

There were no speakers against the proposals at the meeting, and it was unanimously approved.

Under the proposals, 104 bedrooms are to be demolished, and the new building would provide 174 bedrooms, meaning a net gain of 70 bedrooms.

CGI images of the proposed plans for a major redevelopment at Mansfield College (Image: Mansfield College)

CGI images of the proposed plans for a major redevelopment at Mansfield College (Image: Mansfield College)

Other improvements include adding a three-storey extension with a lift to the Champney’s building, allowing people with mobility issues to access the library by lift, while the bomb shelter at the side of the building would also be removed.

A two-storey mews building for plant and operational space would also be built.

There would also be a ‘pocket park’ where the enclosed parking area is, along with improved cycle parking and a reduction in car parking.

Thames Valley Police shared fears for “security of staff and students” due to three access points.

The force questioned “how they would be managed, with a lack of security and surveillance of the northern wedge bike store?”.

There was also a highways objection made.

Oxford Preservation Trust added concerns about the “scale and bulk of the replacement building”.

But, it also stated: “Pleased to see that the WW2 history of the college will be reflected in the proposed interpretation plaque – and that the outline of the bomb shelters will be marked and support the reinstatement of Champney’s corridor.”

Mansfield College’s WW2 bomb shelter (Image: Oxford City Council planning portal)

Mansfield College said in its planning statement that the development “is not aimed at increasing student intake but simply to provide sufficient accommodation to meet its current needs”.

It rents 10 private properties with 89 rooms, with the College stating this would allow them to release these homes back into the market.

It added that the existing John Marsh Building, which was built in 1962, has poor Wi-Fi connection and is not well-insulated.

Mansfield College (Image: Oxford City Council planning portal)

Helen Mountfield KC, principal of Mansfield College, said: “It is the most significant transformation of the College estate since it moved to central Oxford from Birmingham 140 years ago, and an important moment for Mansfield.

“The project will enable us to welcome more students to live and learn on site, create beautiful new spaces for study and community life, and build a more sustainable and accessible College for the future.

“Crucially, it allows us to do all of this while respecting and enhancing the historic character that makes Mansfield so special.”