A PROJECT which the city council says could secure the long-term future of a North Oxford private school is set to be approved next week.

The plan for St Edward’s School, in Woodstock Road, would involve a new two-and-a-half storey building containing new boarding rooms.

That would have enough accommodation for 70 students between the ages of 13 and 18 in 55 bedrooms.

City council officers have said they are in support of the project which involves the conversion of a football pitch.

Council planning officers have said the new building 'would have no adverse impact' and is 'sympathetically designed'.

Oxfordshire County Council and Natural England had initially opposed the project but they have since withdrawn their complaints and consider them resolved.

The county council had been worried about car and cycle parking, while Natural England had been concerned about the impact of the building on ground water.

Plans for a replacement pitch have been included in the proposal.

As part of the new building, the house master’s accommodation would be built over three storeys. The assistant house master’s accommodation would also be included in the new building.

The city council’s West Area planning committee will be encouraged to give the project permission at a meeting next Tuesday.