'Concern' over plans to turn city's first power station into flats
'Concern' over power station revamp plan
By Nathan Briant Local Democracy Reporter
How the revamped building might look (pic: McAslan + Partners, Said Business School and Oxford University)
HERITAGE experts have 'concerns' about a major application to use a former power station for Oxford University accommodation.
The university wants to use Osney Power Station, on the banks of the River Thames in Russell Street, for 120 hotel-style bedrooms, a gym and a dining room which would cater for up to 160 people.
An original plan was submitted to Oxford City Council last November. Changes were made to that last month. They included reductions to the size of some windows.
But Historic England experts said it still has 'concerns regarding the application on heritage grounds'.
The power station was Oxford's first and was used to supply electricity across the city from 1892 until 1968.
It was then bought by Oxford University's engineering department and used as a research laboratory from 1971.
Part of the building is being used for storage but the rest of it is empty.
If the planning application is successful, the Said Business School would use the building as accommodation for students.
It would replace the business school's Egrove Park in Kennington.
Oxford Civic Society has said the building should be a 'public good' as well as a 'noteworthy initiative' for the university.
The power station is not a listed building.
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