Paul Basham Associates assisted Somerville College with a planning application for the development of 110 student accommodation rooms at their site along Walton Street, Jericho.
The Brief
The full planning application included the demolition of 120-121 Walton Street to construct the Catherine Hughes Building, and the partial demolition and extension of 25-27 Little Clarendon Street to form the Shaw Lefevre Building. These buildings would create living accommodation for 110 students.
Our Approach
The redevelopment site is located in Jericho, a highly accessible, mixed use area of Central Oxford. The development was highlighted to be car-free with specific issues regarding deliveries, refuse collection and moving in and out of the accommodation at both the start and end of term addressed in the Transport Statement, following pre-application discussions with Oxfordshire County Council.
A Travel Plan Statement was also produced in line with Oxfordshire County Council guidance, promoting sustainable travel to and from the site. The Travel Plan emphasised travel by bicycle as the local area was specifically suited for cycling. A total of 135 cycle parking spaces will be provided which is significantly higher than the requirement set out in Oxford City Council's Sites and Housing Plan.
The Result
Paul Basham Associates were delighted to hear that the scheme received planning permission in March 2017, and we have enjoyed watching the scheme through the construction phase, with the building opened in October 2019.