Oxford college buildings set for demolition after 40 years

The porter's lodge and clock tower were built in the 1980s

The decision to demolish part of an Oxford college has been branded a "wanton act of vandalism".

Oxford City Council's planning committee approved the demolition of the porter's lodge and clock tower at Green Templeton College to make way for student accommodation.

However, Andrew Gant said the 1980s-built structure added to the "character of north Oxford".

The college said redevelopment would "improve the facilities" for students.

It said options for refurbishing the buildings in Woodstock Road had been investigated but they proved to be "difficult to repurpose".

Three new purpose-built accommodation buildings, communal spaces, a "fit-for-purpose" dining hall, a single-storey café and informal study space would accompany the demolition of a current accommodation building, squash courts, gardener's shed and the porter's lodge.

'Not tenable'

Mr Gant, ward councillor for Cutteslowe and Sunnymead, said: "I'm surprised and disappointed that city council planning officers and the majority of the committee think this distinctive building fronting on to Woodstock Road can be lost without harm. It is a wanton act of vandalism.

"It might not be among Oxford's most historic structures, but the character of this part of Oxford is created by a series of buildings, not necessarily first rank in their own right, which combine to reflect their various periods and styles."

The Oxfordshire Architectural and Historical Society also criticised the decision to demolish the buildings after about four decades of use.

"This kind of short-life building is not tenable in the current climate situation," it said.

College bursar, Dr Tim Clayden, told the planning meeting the college needed to develop its accommodation, academic and social facilities.

"We're trying to improve the facilities for our students. This is a forward-looking plan embedded in the principles of sustainability and seeing Green Templeton developed into the 21st Century," he said.

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