A VACANT office block at the former Oxford Bus Depot in East Oxford could be turned into student flats.

An application has been submitted to Oxford City Council to convert the block in Reliance Way off Cowley Road into 36 student rooms complete with en-suite bathrooms.

The plans could also include another three-storey block built on the site with a further 24 rooms for students.

The office buildings – Adams House and Rivera House – were only completed two years ago and have been empty ever since.

An attempt to build 98 student rooms was turned down earlier this year and a smaller proposal has been put forward by Cantay Estates.

OCC’s East Area planning committee refused it due to loss of employment accommodation and there being too many students. Under the new plans the vacant Canterbury House would be home to nine of these student flats.

The red brick Victorian building was the home and studio of Henry Taunt, one of Victorian England’s most prolific photographers. A blue plaque on the frontage commemorates the link.

Consultation ends on October 20 and to comment go to oxford.gov.uk and use the reference 15/02542/OUT.