We’re developing campuses for the future. Where possible we keep disruptive work to times that limit the impact on local residents, staff and students. With the size of some of the works we are doing this is not always possible. Keep up-to-date with current works on our campus sites on this webpage.
Works updates
Planning permission was granted for the redevelopment of Clive Booth Student Village (CBSV) in November 2021. Initial construction work began in March 2022 with the Elm, Damson and Fir buildings opening in 2024.
Further redevelopment began in autumn 2025 with the internal fit-out of Cherry building. The Cherry building was formally handed over to the University in August 2026, providing 164 new rooms for students in the 2026/27 academic year.
The implementation of a geo-exchange project to reduce carbon emissions is currently taking place on the site.
Additional work is taking to improve landscaping from November 2026 and further development of a fifth new building (which would be called Gingko) on the site is also currently under consideration.
How can I find out more?
The University will ensure that disruption is kept to a minimum while work is taking place. Information on the progress with the projects, as set out below, will be kept updated on this webpage. If you have any questions, please contact the University’s Estates and Campus Services Projects Team via ecs-projects@brookes.ac.uk
Ahead of the opening of Cherry, a small project to improve the landscaping at the front of the building was completed in summer 2026.
The next stage of development, due to commence in the second half of November 2026, will support the most complex of the site’s planned landscaping projects. This will introduce improvements to access routes and the arrival area at the junction between CBSV, Cuckoo Lane and the Woodland Trail on the Headington Hill site. Once implemented it will:
- implement a more direct stepped route to the new CBSV developments
- provide step-free access to the new Cherry building via a link footbridge
- provide step-free access to the lower levels of the CBSV site via the lift in Cherry
- contain features to mitigate potential flooding, taking into account the impact of climate change in the future.
This work would take place within the boundaries of the University’s estate, located within Zone One of a site map available to view online. A 3D drawing is also available to view online, which demonstrates the areas where landscaping work will take place as part of this first phase.
Access will remain in place during the project and clear signage will be in place. We expect the work to commence from 16 November 2026 and be completed by March 2027.
More generally, landscaping work at CBSV is being planned in phases as part of continued development of the site. This includes potential work in Zones 2 to 7 of the online site map which are subject to approval and are dependent on the completion of the geo-exchange project.
Further information on future phases of landscaping work will be provided as decisions are taken by the University’s senior committees. If you have any questions, please contact the University’s Estates and Campus Services Projects Team via ecs-projects@brookes.ac.uk
A geo-exchange heating system project was successfully implemented on our Gipsy Lane site in 2022 to reduce carbon emissions. Following recent planning approval, a similar geo-exchange project is being implemented for the N to X blocks and the Postgraduate Centre at CBSV.
The project adopts an innovative approach to carbon reduction and will involve the drilling of 24 boreholes deep into the ground, with interconnecting flowlines that will be capped at the surface with manhole covers. The boreholes will reach depths of 250 metres and will be in two locations between the Damson and Cherry buildings.
Whilst deep, the holes are small in diameter and the pipes are driven down as the hole is bored - there is never an open shaft like an old fashioned well. Once the work is complete, the manhole covers (which will be of a standard size), will be the only visible signs at ground level, with access for maintenance and servicing.Safety will remain paramount at all times and work is being planned to ensure that any disruption is kept to a minimum over this period. A traffic management plan will be implemented to ensure safety for all road and pavement users. As has been the case for the Cherry building fit-out, the vast majority of contractor traffic accesses CBSV via a private road which is accessed by a gate on the Marston Road. This will significantly reduce use of John Garne Way for work traffic.
From our experience in implementing the geo-exchange project on our Gipsy Lane site, where the work took place just metres from a building where exams took place, noise levels are expected to be relatively minimal and will not impact local neighbours. Mitigations will be put in place to ensure our local environment is not adversely affected. This is primarily due to the specialist equipment being used and proactive measures we are taking, such as the site hoardings which will help to reduce any impact. The drilling work is also not planned to take place close to any of the road boundaries on the site.The University has received grant funding from the project as part of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme. The approved planning application with further information and site drawings for the project can be found on the Oxford City Council website.
Initial enabling works began in early June 2026 with the borehole drilling element of the project beginning in late June 2026. The drilling work is currently expected to be completed by the end of February 2027 with the remainder of the project aiming for completion by early 2028. Drilling work is expected to take place between 8.00am and 6.00pm, Monday to Friday. Additional drilling work will occasionally be required on weekends during this period but this would be on a limited number of occasions and by agreement with the University.The main contractor for the project is Beard Construction. In addition to the drilling, there will be work such as trench digging taking place to support the implementation of the geo-exchange project which may involve additional disruption. Clear signage will be in place on the site to make clear where work is taking place and any changes to access.
Latest information will be added to this webpage as the project progresses. If you have any questions, please contact the University’s Estates and Campus Services Projects Team via ecs-projects@brookes.ac.uk