COLLEGE renovations, transforming student accommodation into a homeless refuge during the pandemic, and modernising an office in the city centre are among the latest planning applications received by Oxford City Council.

To see the proposals in full, go to the planning portal at oxford.gov.uk

Homeless accommodation

A student accommodation block on Cowley Road could be transformed into supported living accommodation for the homeless.

The application by A2 Dominion was made on January 6, retrospectively, as the use has already started.

Using Canterbury House as temporary accommodation for the homeless is being paid for by Oxford City Council as part of its plan to get rough sleepers in off the streets during the pandemic.

A public comment said the council should have communicated its plans to the community better, the other disagrees with housing 76 homeless people in one location and says accommodation should have been spread across the city.

Planning reference: 21/00032/FUL

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New riverside cycle path

An amended plan for a newly laid stretch of cycle path which leaves the Thames Towpath for the Osney Mead Industrial Estate has been submitted.

The cycle path is part of Oxford University’s plans to redevelop Osney Mead into a Science and Tech Quarter for the city.

The plans had reared their head before in 2019, but have been slightly changed and now include feedback from organisations like Network Rail as it runs under a railway bridge.

The short stretch of path would eventually link up with other routes creating and east-west route through Oxford.

A comment from member of the public Craig Clunas on the application said he was ‘broadly supportive of this encouragement of cycling, provided that consideration is given to maintaining the safety of pedestrians in shared spaces’.

Planning reference: 20/01162/FUL

New boathouse flats

A boat store on the River Cherwell could have an extra story added to the top of it.

The boathouse at Dudley Gardens in the St Clements area would have a flat with two beds built on top of it.

There would also be room for bikes and bin storage.

Oxford Civic Society’s planning group said the new building would be ‘unnecessarily high’ in a letter to the council.

Planning reference: 20/02371/FUL

Radio station conversion

Plans to convert an old radio station at Pony Road on the Horspath Industrial Estate have returned.

The plan has been tweaked slightly since it appeared in the list of applications last year.

Until 2010 the building was a radio station for Heart FM, and before that Fox FM.

Under the plans it could become a furniture showroom.

Planning reference: 20/02656/FUL

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Office upgrade

An office building on the edge of Bonn Square could get a facelift so it looks nicer alongside Oxford's historic buildings.

North Bailey House on New Inn Hall Street currently houses shops on the ground floor and offices above.

Under the plans to renovate the building with a more modern look, the shop space would be expanded and solar panels would be added to the roof.

Planning reference: 20/03123/FUL

College kitchens

Oriel College wants to refurbish its kitchen and dining offering for students and guests.

Under the college's 'East Range Scheme', the kitchens and dining area of the High Street building would be modernised and given a more informal feel.

Because Oriel College is a listed building, the institution has also applied for listed building consent to carry out the work.

Planning reference: 20/03248/FUL

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