Worcester College, part of the University of Oxford, had a long term need to increase student bedroom numbers within their existing grounds. The Provost of the College contacted Leadbitter to discuss their requirements, with the aim to agree a process by which Leadbitter could lead on evaluating the potential to redevelop parts of the College to create 200 new student bedrooms.

As this first phase progressed, the client’s growing confidence led to the commissioning of five further phases from Leadbitter:

• the conversion of 3 old houses to form 17 rooms;
• the adaptation of 9 flats to form 20 rooms;
• the building of 32 rooms and a conference centre in a new building on a highly restricted site;
• the renovation, rebuilding and construction of a new building for 34 students on the opposite side of the same restricted site;
• Finally, the complete renovation of two further existing buildings to form 52 en-suite rooms, this last phase due to be completed by October 2008.

As the scheme developed through Feasibility, consultation took place with the Local Planning Authority and local interest groups to make sure that we dealt with any opposition to the project prior to submission for planning. Located in a city centre location and within a Conservation Area, the development involved the demolition of a significant historic building and planning was always going to be a challenge. Our strategy to consult and work with local interested parties paid off as planning was granted unanimously.

As we enter the final stages of the fourth phase of works, we are busy planning the next decanting operations to enable commencement of the fifth phase which will ultimately see the College’s objectives realised within a three year programme.