The Acting Head of Planning Services has submitted a report seeking Cabinet approval for a new conservation area boundary.

Recommendations: That Cabinet resolves to:

Approve the proposed new conservation area boundary to include all areas proposed on the map at Appendix 2 of the report.

The Acting Head of Planning Services had submitted a report seeking Cabinet approval for a new conservation area boundary.

The Cabinet Member for Planning & Sustainable Transport, Councillor Alex Hollingsworth, introduced the report reminding Cabinet Members that this was a report on the outcome of the recent consultation. The inclusion of the St Thomas’ area was important, as one of the City’s first suburbs, and for the reasons listed in the report.

The reason for the inclusion of the University Science Quarter was set out in the report and because, among other things, it was “… a physical demonstration of the commitment to scientific research within the city.”

In response to the earlier contribution from Dr Brown, he did not believe the introduction of the Conservation area would place a “heavy burden” on the University. The designation would merely require planning permission to demolish a building and introduce some requirements in relation to flues. The character of the area was important, revolving as it did around scientific excellence. The designation should encourage the development of high quality new science buildings over time.

The Planning Policy and Place Manager pointed out that the area was surrounded by a conservation area and, importantly, no “Article 4”direction for the area was proposed.

The Chair said it was not the intention of the designation to “preserve the area in aspic” but rather to ensure the replacement of buildings of sufficient quality in due course that reflect the physical demonstration of scientific research.

The Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan is also being developed for the Central Conservation Area. This will make the purpose of the designation clear and Oxford University is engaged with this process alongside other stakeholders. Given the concerns expressed by Oxford University the Chair highlighted the importance of this engagement.  

Cabinet resolved to:

Approve the proposed new conservation area boundary to include all areas proposed on the map at Appendix 2 of the report.