Plans in for Oxford co-working development

Plans for a co-working facility in Oxford – in a move that will demolish a 1960s building considered to be “in need of both repair and modernisation” – have been revealed.Standingford House sits on Cave Street in the city’s St Clements district.It is home to the Oxford Enterprise Centre and is owned by the council.The building is considered to be “in need of both repair and modernisation to meet current and future efficiency standards”.It also has poor accessibility with no wheelchair provision or lift access.Proposed is demolishing the building and in it place, bringing forward a three-storey energy efficient facility across 18,750 sq ft.The intention of the site is to be flexible to enable “fledgling businesses to easily scale from one desk to a self-contained office”. It will comprise a range of facilities such as breakout spaces, meeting rooms, offices and single desks.The re-orientation of the built form and the improved landscaping at the Cave Street frontage have also been designed to improve the interaction with the street.A planning statement submitted to Oxford City Council noted that the proposed development “intensifies the existing employment use on site”.”The proposal seeks to provide a highly sustainable, modern and flexible office building set within new landscape spaces,” it added.”It will remove a building which is at the end of its viable life span and create a new much needed flexible space to support new and established businesses within Oxford.”The proposals have been subject to extensive consultation and the final design has evolved significantly from the early stages following detailed advice and input received from the Local Planning Authority as well as neighbours, residents, and businesses in the surrounding area.”A decision could be made on the plans later in the year.