Orchard rejuvenation
Tom Bartlett, Head Gardener at Univ, provides an update on Sustainability and Biodiversity at the College’s Staverton Road annexe, where Univ North is taking shape. More…

Carbon, energy sustainability and wellbeing
A conversation between Dr Andrew Grant (1977, Chemistry), Project Director for Univ North, and Richard Todd, Head of Built Environment at Bidwells. More…

Univ North and the Next Generation
Univ’s Mulberry Lawn at the Univ North site provided a huge welcome for almost 100 pre-school children this July, with a special interactive zone just around the corner from which the site could be viewed safely by the children. More…

Meet the Builder
Our Univ North construction contractors, SDC , held a recent Meet the Builder event for local neighbours to come and see the progress on site and hear more about what’s coming up next. More…

Univ North – Buildings Up
Spring is in full swing, and activity on-site is moving at pace. We’re delighted to share that our cross laminated timber (CLT) framing for Water Court West is up. It’s been quite remarkable how quickly this has happened. More…

Name the Crane: Sparkle
The new tower crane on site at Univ North has been named Sparkle, by Zoe Ryan. Zoe is a nursery-aged artist who won the “Name the Crane” competition organised by SDC, the Univ North contractors, and University College, Oxford. More…

Major construction contract awarded
A further milestone was reached on 3 October, 2023, as University College signed the construction contract to deliver its Univ North accommodation scheme with SDC Builders Limited. More…

Artwork at Univ North
To enhance the area directly facing the Fairfield Residential Home at our Univ North development, a local artist, Layla Cope, has teamed up with residents and staff at Fairfield to create a beautiful mural. More…

Read all of our Univ North News

“Univ North” is the name given by University College, Oxford (Univ) to an area of land which is bounded by Staverton Road to the north, Banbury Road to the east, Rawlinson Road to the south and Woodstock Road to the west. This site is located within one of the most beautiful parts of Oxford: the North Oxford Victorian Conservation Area (NOVSCA). Being a “good neighbour” is integral to Univ’s vision for the development of Univ North, and as such the College understands the importance of integrating well with the residential community in North Oxford.

To help build and sustain strong and supportive local relationships, Univ and local residents have jointly formed the Univ North Neighbourhood Review Group (UNNRG). The UNNRG helps to raise awareness of the site’s impact on the local neighbourhood and thus helps inform decision making by Univ as the scheme develops.

UNNRG comprises representatives of the local community, College Fellows and senior members of the Univ management team, architects, as well as other team members with specialist skills. The preferred construction contractor, SDC, has also joined the UNNRG and will contribute actively to the discussions.

The group has been meeting monthly since January 2021 and has provided a helpful way for Univ to understand local pressures, needs, and concerns; and to ask for the neighbours’ views on key concepts as the site is designed. Initial discussions have covered design principles, planning permissions, construction traffic movements, and the scheme’s integration within the surrounding residential community, as well as specific concerns from residents.

UNNRG is supported by an Environmental Subgroup with members from both the community and College. The group has paid close attention to Univ’s plans for biodiversity, sustainability, and other factors, such as considering the site’s impact on its immediate neighbours and the wider landscape and environment.

This information will be updated by the College to help keep neighbours aware of the project and its next steps. To discover more about the project and to stay up-to-date with the schedule, please see the forthcoming activities section, “What is coming next and when?” below.

What is being built?

The first phase of this development comprises five new-build villa and pavilion buildings and the renovation and refurbishment of 115 Banbury Road villa and the Garden House, which sits behind 98 Woodstock Road. The completed development will offer up to 150 new study bedspaces, making a total of up to 275 at Univ North. In addition, a gym, café, study, meeting and lecture spaces, as well as a children’s nursery for up to 54 children including outdoor play area will be built. The enhanced collegiate community will benefit from easy access to the natural environment through landscaped gardens, a rejuvenated heritage orchard and buildings which maximise natural light. Univ North creates a cohesive, thoughtful design, maximising space in a great North Oxford location, which is sympathetic to the North Oxford Victorian suburb conservation area (NOVSCA).

Click for larger image

The project will be conducted in two phases, as shown on the location and phasing plan. The phasing is still subject to optimised logistics and may be adjusted by the College and construction contractor in consultation with neighbours. The main entrance to Univ North will be on Banbury Road, where a new lodge and entranceway will be built. Other entrances will be designed to minimise vehicle use and impact on the local streets.

During construction Univ will instruct its contractors to minimise vehicle movements and noise to the fullest extent practicable. Some site accesses will be inevitable through Staverton Road and into the Staverton Road Annexe entranceway. These will be carefully designed and supervised when in operation to ensure the safety of cyclists and other road users. The contract will include provisions requiring site workers to use the Park and Ride rather than park on site or on local streets. For a fuller explanation of the proposals to control the movement of site personnel and vehicles during construction, please refer to the Construction Environmental Management Plan.

When was the planning permission granted?

Planning permission was granted by Oxford City Council in October 2020. The reference number for the main planning application is 20/00116/FUL. Should you wish to review the details of the proposals, simply include the reference number on the search function of the planning portal.

What is coming next and when?

The next project steps are as follows:

SDC contact details

Phil Doherty, Project Director
T: 07984 609094
E: Phil.Doherty@sdc.co.uk

Phil will act as the Project Director during the Construction Phase. Phil has been with SDC since 1990, making him one of the company’s longest-serving employees. As Project Director, he brings a broad range of expertise across all project stages, ensuring exceptional quality, and on-time completion. His problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and commitment to SDC’s values ensure strong communication and efficient project execution.

Keeping in touch.

Please refer to this information, which will be regularly updated by the College with the construction timeline and key decisions.

Univ has also provided a special email address for neighbours should they have concerns which they would like to raise directly with the College: neighbours@univ.ox.ac.uk

What is the Univ North scheme?
Univ North is the name given to the development of University College’s (Univ) collegiate community in North Oxford, where students have been living for 50 years. The scheme will renovate existing buildings, build seven new villa and pavilion buildings, rejuvenate heritage orchards, and offer beautifully landscaped gardens, together with accessible routes and facilities.

Where is the Univ North scheme?
The development site is located in North Oxford between Staverton Road to the north, Banbury Road to the east, Rawlinson Road to the south and Woodstock Road to the west.

Why is the Univ North scheme being built?
Univ wants to continue to provide the very best facilities for students, staff and academics. This new development includes energy-efficient, multifunctional buildings with up to 150 bedspaces, gym, café, study and meeting spaces, as well as a 54-place nursery provision.

When did building work for Univ North start and when will it be finished?
Planning permission was granted back in 2020 and site preparation began in January 2023. Breaking ground and the start of construction began in spring 2023. First occupancy of the new buildings is expected in 2025.

Are you building everything at once?
There will be two building phases. The first phase of construction will include the refurbishment of Fairfield House (the Edwardian villa at 115 Banbury Road) and the construction of Woodstock Pavilion and the four new build villas called Water Courts West and East, Walnut Lawn and Banbury Road, as well as the nursery. This will provide up to 116 bedspaces comprising a mix of study bedrooms, accessible study bedrooms, and 1-bed flats.

The second phase of construction will include the construction of Terrace Pavilion and No. 27 Staverton Road. This will provide a further 34 bedspaces including accessible bedrooms.

Who is building Univ North?
Univ North is designed by Níall McLaughlin Architects Ltd and the landscape architect Kim Wilkie. SDC is the contractor on site that will be carrying out the first phase of development.

How is the Univ North scheme being funded?
Univ is extremely lucky to have a great number of generous Old Members (our Alumni) and it is through their donations that we have been able to fund the Univ North scheme.

An important aspect of this has come through innovative philanthropy from David Frederick, US attorney, University College alumnus and Foundation Fellow. In addition, Mr Frederick has gifted a further $5 million to the Univ North project. Both donations and our continued fundraising will help us to ensure Univ North’s successful completion and we hope to achieve this without needing to take out costly loans.

How will Univ North benefit people?
Univ North will offer students and academics high-quality, modern accommodation (including some for families) and facilities. Univ North’s occupants will benefit from easy access to the natural environment through rejuvenated historical orchards, gardens and seating areas, as well as indoor common areas and meeting spaces, which maximise natural light.

Univ North will provide accommodation for more of Univ’s students, taking pressure off the challenging Oxford housing market. Also supporting the College’s promise to “house their own”, a stipulation of Oxfordshire City Council.

Univ North is based on a cohesive, thoughtful design in a great North Oxford location, which is sympathetic to the expectations of the North Oxford Victorian Suburb Conservation Area (NOVSCA).

How sustainable is the Univ North scheme?
The scheme will include energy efficient buildings and thoughtful design which encompasses the benefits of natural light. Additional internal lighting, including in stairwells and walkways, will be designed to safely minimise light pollution and energy waste, including shielding, timers, and low light settings. High levels of insulation, inherent sealing, and draught exclusion will help temperature control. Air source heat pumps for hot water and heat recovery ventilation systems will also be implemented.

A number of measures have been put in place to maximise the biodiversity of the site including the planting of new trees, hedgerows and wildflower meadows, resulting in a biodiversity net gain of 20.62% over 30 years. For more information, please see our biodiversity infographic below:

Click for full-size PDF.

Also see our Biodiversity and Ecology Video below.

Valerie Amos with David Frederick and his wife Sophie Lynn

“Our vision for Univ North is being made a reality thanks to the incredible generosity of our Old Members. It is testimony to their passion for and commitment to Univ, and we would like to thank all our supporters for joining us in this exciting project, which will benefit the College community for generations to come.”
Felice Nassar, Director of Development, Communications and Alumni Relations

If you’re interested in supporting Univ North or would like to find out more, please contact the Development Team Development@univ.ox.ac.uk – we’d be delighted to speak to you.

All images for illustrative purposes only.

A photographic record of the Univ North development progress so far, produced by SDC Builders for University College, Oxford. Download the Photo Book here.