PLANS to transform a huge building named after Cecil Rhodes will be up for discussion this afternoon.
Rhodes House, the headquarters of an international Oxford University scholarship, could be transformed into a ‘world-class’ conference centre.
The Grade-II* listed building is the base of the Rhodes Trust, which manages the Rhodes scholarship scheme that funds students from around the world to study at Oxford.
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The trust has drawn up plans to renovate its base so all Rhodes scholars could be brought together in one meeting hall, which are due to be discussed
by Oxford City Council’s west area planning committee at 3pm this afternoon.
There are also plans to knock down and rebuild extensions on the building, as well as new accommodation in the building’s basement.
Rhodes House, built in the 1920s, is named for British imperialist Cecil Rhodes.
This summer the Rhodes Must Fall campaign has been revived by the Black Lives Matter movement, and Oxford’s other lasting tribute to Rhodes, a statue on Oriel College, is now under review.
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The Rhodes Must Fall campaign has also previously called for a review into the name of the Rhodes trust and its history.
The Rhodes Trust was set up in 1902, following the wishes of Cecil Rhodes set out in his will and was funded by his estate.
An inquiry into the Rhodes statue at Oriel College began earlier this month, with a decision on removing the statue not expected until next year.
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