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Cityscape Digital for Eric Parry Architects
In collaboration with the University of Oxford and a local benefactor, 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 proposals also 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 medical education.
The development, called Warneford Park, 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.
The plans were given Resolution to Grant and listed building consent in April by Oxford City Council's Planning Committee, with the decision relating to the main application reviewed and agreed by the council’s Planning Review Committee last night (June 16th).
The permission is not officially issued yet. Prior to that happening, details of the S106 agreement and the conditions need to be agreed with the Council. This will include details such as the financial contributions necessary to support local infrastructure and plans to manage the car parking.
The plans, which were been drawn up by a team led by architecture practice Eric Parry Architects, 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.
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.
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.
Professor Irene Tracey, Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University, said:
Warneford Park will be a world-class brain and mental health campus, designed and built to address some of the most pressing health, social, and economic challenges of our time.
It will provide an unparalleled opportunity for collaboration between clinicians, academia and industry, to drive forward knowledge, improve health outcomes for patients, and develop much-needed new treatments. Meanwhile, the new college will provide a vibrant and creative environment that will educate and inspire the next generation of scientists and clinicians.
Alongside our partners, we look forward to turning the vision for this site into reality, so that breakthroughs in brain and mental health research are accelerated and translated for the benefit of all.”
Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust Chief Executive, Grant Macdonald, said: “For two centuries now, Warneford Hospital has been at the heart of mental health services in the county and a vital place of care for those living with mental illness.
“Our plans, alongside the University of Oxford and a local benefactor, will mark a new and exciting chapter for mental health care - a new hospital will provide a calming and therapeutic environment for patients, staff and visitors, and the improved facilities will support new neighbourhood-focused models of care, with space to accommodate new and innovative treatments.
“The decision by Oxford City Council to support our planning application is fantastic news and puts us in great stead as we enter the next phase of this exciting programme.”