Permission For Campus Redevelopment

The Oxford Office Planning team has secured planning permission for the redevelopment of the 1.45 ha Witney Campus site on behalf of Abingdon & Witney College.

Background
Working closely with West Oxfordshire District Council, Carter Jonas secured planning permission for the demolition of the existing college buildings, and the erection of a new building of 7,270 sq m in internal area, over 3 stories. 

The Planning Process
Carter Jonas has been responsible for taking the redevelopment of the College through from the initial pre-feasibility stage to the submission of the final Planning Application, (and the related post application negotiation). Carter Jonas has also acted as advisors in regard to the strategy for acquisition of the land to north of the site, to increase the frontage and presence of the College.

Following extensive pre-application discussion and consultation, a planning application was submitted in March 2008. West Oxfordshire District Council then raised a number of matters which required the input of a variety of other consultants.  Such issues included the Environment Agency’s input on the Flood Risk Assessment, the restrictions on parking outside of the site due to the location, the construction phasing, and the design, particularly of the new frontage.

The planning application was debated at planning committee with the general support of the planning officer. The application was delegated back to the planning officer by the committee members, to approve once all issues had been resolved. Following extensive negotiation and resolution of the remaining issues, the application was approved subject to conditions, and without the need for a s106 agreement.

"Making a planning application is a complex task requiring robust, specialist planning consultant advice. Carter Jonas have successfully managed our planning application for a £30m new college build at the Witney campus to a positive conclusion, despite initial design concerns expressed by the local planning authority. The planning process requires skill and experience and I’m delighted with the way that Carter Jonas took the design team through this process"

Sue Webb, Director of Capital Projects, Abingdon & Witney College