University campus plans at Foxcombe Hall set to be approved

The former Open University site at Boars Hill was sold in 2017 to Peking University HSBC Business School (PHBS), as the Chinese institution aimed to make the 15-acre plot its first base in the UK.

The application relates to the buildings and grounds of the historic Grade II listed Foxcombe Hall.

On Wednesday, Vale of White Horse District Council’s planning committee is set to give the green light to the proposals, which include 60 student bedrooms, a 200-seat lecture theatre, library, dining hall, cafe and gym.

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The district council has received 303 objection comments to the application – compared to just four in favour or raising no objection.

Community group Friends of Boars Hill has long been against the plans, while other organisations have also objected.

Countryside charity CPRE objected to the proposals, saying: “The plans and information received still do not address the issues of inappropriate development in the green belt, negative impact upon the character of a semi-rural location and change of use resulting in high levels of student activity which will irreparably harm a green belt site internationally renown.”

Oxford Green Belt Network added in the March consultation: “The proposed development is inappropriate in the Oxford green belt and there are no valid very special circumstances which could justify the grant of planning permission.”

Foxcombe Hall at Boars Hill. Picture: Savills

The new campus will see the creation of 32 full-time jobs, while the economic contribution from student expenditure per year is set to increase to £1.6 million per year by 2024.

A district council report says the positive elements of the application negate the disadvantages.

The report states: “Officers consider that the identified harm is outweighed by identified very special circumstances, namely the local, regional and national economic benefits and educational benefits of the proposed development, and the lack of realistic or feasible alternative options for accommodation off-site or suitable less harmful options on site.”

Foxcombe Hall at Boars Hill. Picture: Savills (Image: Picture: Savills)

The council is recommended to grant planning permission, subject to the provision of a shuttle bus service between the site and Redbridge Park and Ride, for students and the local community on a ‘hail and ride basis’.

There would be eight services a day on weekdays, including one morning and afternoon service, to serve Sunningwell, Bayworth and Board Hill, with six services a day on weekends and bank holidays.

In October 2020, plans to open a B&B opposite the campus were refused as it was ‘considered to cause harm to the character of the area and to the purposes of the green belt’.

The scheme was designed to house visiting academics.

The application for the new campus can be viewed on the district council’s online planning portal, using the application number P21/V1376/FUL.

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This story was written by Liam Rice, he joined the team in 2019 as a multimedia reporter.

Liam covers politics, travel and transport. He occasionally covers Oxford United.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Liam.rice@newsquest.co.uk

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