Following the decision by Oxford City Council’s Planning Committee in April to approve our planning application in principle, the Council has further reviewed and confirmed this decision through its Planning Review Committee.
This was in response to some councillors expressing concern about the planned increase in car parking.
We are acutely aware of the sensitivity around transport and traffic and we sent in advance of the Planning Review Committee meeting, a statement to Members that clearly explained how we have limited car parking to the greatest extent possible, and how our application complies with all relevant national and local planning policies.
The Planning Review Committee met on 16 June to consider our application and Members supported a motion to approve the application in principle.
Heather Smith, Chief Finance Officer for Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust and Senior Responsible Officer for Warneford Park, said:
“We are delighted that our application has been endorsed by the Planning Review Committee.
“Our proposals will provide very significant benefits for people living in Oxfordshire, with a much-needed new mental health hospital and facilities to help us discover new treatments and therapies.
“We have worked hard to minimise the local impact on traffic, drainage and ecology, and will also deliver considerable investment in local active travel infrastructure and in enhancements to public transport provision that would bring tangible benefits to everyone travelling across the Headington area.
“This decision enables us to move forward with vital plans to improve mental health facilities and research in Oxford and we will continue to work closely with local stakeholders as we take our programme to its next stage.”
Further information about the Planning Review Committee meeting can be found on Oxford City Council’s website.
Background
In collaboration with the University of Oxford and a local benefactor, the proposals include a major new facility for the world-leading medical research taking place at the University of Oxford, with additional space for biotech, pharmaceutical and start-up companies.
The inclusion of the first new University of Oxford college in Headington will also ensure a long-term future for the existing Grade II-listed hospital building, which will be restored and expanded to become a new graduate college for education.
The development aims to improve care for patients living in Oxfordshire and boost mental health and brain research both in the UK and across the world, which has for many years lagged behind other areas of health in terms of investment.
Bringing together science and clinical care on one site will see the benefits from mental health research translated directly into clinical practice, with the state-of-the-art facilities attracting top class specialists, graduate students and post-doctoral researchers who will enrich research and innovation. Together they will focus on preventing, diagnosing, and treating mental illness early.
Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust submitted a planning application last summer to build a brand-new mental health hospital to replace the current 200-year-old Warneford Hospital, which is no longer deemed fit for modern services.
The plans were given Resolution to Grant and listed building consent 21 April by Oxford City Council’s Planning Committee.
Prior to the permission being officially issued, details of the S106 agreement and the conditions with the Council need to be agreed. This will include details such as the financial contributions necessary to support local infrastructure and plans to manage the car parking.
The plans, developed in partnership with the University of Oxford and a local benefactor, were drawn up by a team led by architecture practice Eric Parry Architects. They include:
- a new hospital that will focus on providing modern inpatient facilities, that have an emphasis on patient wellbeing and therapeutic spaces that connect with nature. The hospital will support community mental health services across Oxfordshire and beyond.
- a world-class research facility that will aim to tackle some of the most important issues in brain and mental health, by discovering new forms of treatment and therapies.
- post graduate college accommodation and restoration of the historic hospital buildings to give them a new lease of life as college facilities.
- a revitalised landscape that will create an exceptional environment for healthcare, medical research and education.
A reserved matters application and listed building consent will be submitted in respect of the College elements of the development for new buildings on the western part of the site and the conversion of the existing listed hospital (once the new hospital has been completed). This will provide space for on-site living, learning and collaboration.
The planning decision marks a significant milestone for the project. Subject to funding and further detailed design work, construction of the hospital and research building could begin as early as 2028.