Plans to redevelop Oxford's first power station 'unconvincing and bulky'
Suzanne Lovell
The expansion and redevelopment of Oxford's first power station could begin next year after plans for a 121-bedroom teaching centre were unveiled to the public.
Said Business School has revealed proposals to transform Osney Power Station into an 'executive education centre' for mature professionals on short-stay courses.
But the early drawings show plans to enlarge the existing station - currently used to store artefacts of Oxford University museums - sparking fears it would be too big.
Oxford Preservation Trust director Debbie Dance said care was needed with the subsequent designs to make sure the development was not too bulky and remained sensitive to the area.
She said: "It is an important Oxford building reminding us of when electricity came to the city and sitting alongside the canal in a very public position.
"It is also a very large building and a very visible one from high up points in the city.
"We are pleased that Said Business School want to incorporate some of its character into their new designs but are concerned to ensure that care is taken with the extra building on the site - so that the overall bulk of the building does not dominate from above as well as being sensitive to the neighbourhood."
In its plans, Oxford University promised to repair the brick frontage of the power station - officially closed in 1968 - and make sure the new construction complements the existing roof.
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Source: www.oxfordtimes.co.uk