Works updates

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 and route changes on all our campuses.

Construction of new buildings on the Headington Hill site

Oxford Brookes received planning permission in June 2022 for two new buildings on the Headington Hill site. The new teaching and workshop buildings we are constructing will help to transform STEM and creative industries activity. The cutting-edge, sustainable spaces will allow our students, staff and researchers to flourish, boost local collaboration and meet the needs of business. 

We currently expect the buildings to open their doors for the 2024/25 academic year.

Further information on the development can be found on the project's dedicated webpage where you can view a CGI fly-through video of the new buildings.

Construction of two new buildings began in January 2023, following the completion of enabling work. 

High-res design for the workshop building on the Headington Hill site

Building work updates from construction company Willmott Dixon (February 2024 update)

Ongoing work

The University's contracted construction company Willmott Dixon is providing a monthly update on the building work for the teaching and workshop buildings on the Headington Hill. The construction of the two buildings is taking place within the boundaries of the University’s Headington Hill site and the affected areas are hoarded off. 

Activity typically takes place between 7.30am and 5.30pm, Monday to Friday. It is sometimes also necessary for work to take place over weekends. Willmott Dixon, a founder member of the Considerate Constructors Scheme, and the University will continue to ensure that any disruption is kept to a minimum. 

Recent progress highlighted in the latest Willmott Dixon update includes:

  • completion of the walls in the ground floor cafe area in the teaching building
  • the start of mechanical and electrical works in the teaching building
  • continued roofing works for the workshop building which now has internal walls constructed.

Upcoming activities highlighted in the latest Willmott Dixon update include:

  • a focus on installations above the ceiling level of the teaching building including sprinkler pipes, lighting and fire alarms
  • continued external works with final cladding now covering nearly half of the teaching building
  • making the workshop building weather-tight.

Other updates to be aware of for those on site:

  • a barrier system has been introduced to help ensure traffic safety. The barriers will be lowered when construction vehicles are maneuvering near to the Gatehouse at the entrance to the site.
Further detail can be found in the latest newsletter links on this page.

Construction update newsletters

Headington Hill site parking update

The top car park on the Headington Hill site permanently closed during the enabling works stage in November 2022, as this is the location of the new workshop building. 

The University acknowledges parking at Headington Campus has become more challenging. Notwithstanding this, we ask those with non-electric vehicles (EV) to not park in the designated EV spaces. More generally please also ensure that you park within marked bays when parking on campus. 

It is likely that further temporary losses of a small number of car parking spaces will be necessary throughout the construction phase. Where possible, this will be communicated via these Work Update pages. Further information for staff on alternative, sustainable ways of travelling to the Headington Campus can be found on the University’s Travel webpages.

Redevelopment of Clive Booth Student Village (February 2024 update)

CGI image of the Clive Booth redevlopment

Oxford Brookes received planning permission in November 2021 for the redevelopment of Clive Booth Student Village. 

The project will provide an increased number of high-quality rooms within the University’s estate. This will help to reduce the number of students living in private rented accommodation and support efforts to manage local housing demand.

Further information on the development can be found on the project's dedicated webpage.

The construction work is being undertaken on behalf of the University by Morgan Sindall, who are registered with the Considerate Constructors Scheme. 

Safety is of the utmost importance and both Oxford Brookes and Morgan Sindall will ensure that any disruption is kept to a minimum while work is undertaken. 

Ongoing work

The first new building as part of the redevelopment of Clive Booth Student Village, providing high-quality living and social spaces close to Headington Campus, opened its doors to new residents in January 2024. The Elm building is providing 98 rooms for students this semester, with further rooms due to be available on the site in time for the 2024-25 academic year.

Latest progress and upcoming work as part of the redevelopment of Clive Booth Student Village is detailed below.

Fir Building (previously named Building F)

  • Brickwork is continuing with just the fifth floor to complete.

  • Plumbing and electrical supplies are in progress up to the second floor.

  • Kitchens and furniture have been installed up to the second floor.

Damson Building (previously named Building D)

  • The Damson Building which is one of the larger buildings is now at it’s peak height and the roof is finished.
  • The flooring and decorating has been completed up to the third floor.
  • The kitchens and furniture are now being installed.

Cherry Building (previously named Building C)

  • The Cherry Building (which is the second largest building) has now had all the pre-fabricated bathroom pods installed.
  • Brickwork continues and is progressing past the second floor.
  • Roofing work should be complete in March.

Further detail can be found in the latest newsletter links on this page.

Find out more about Clive Booth Student Village in person

From May 2022 Morgan Sindall, in collaboration with Oxford Brookes, began hosting drop-in information sessions on the first Monday of every month. Anyone is welcome to attend the sessions which allow for individuals or groups to hear about the latest developments and ask questions. 

They take place at the Morgan Sindall Site Office located within the previous Morrells Bar on the Clive Booth Student Village site. The next drop-in sessions will be taking place from 3.00pm to 5.00pm on:

  • Monday 18 March 2024
  • Monday 15 April 2024
  • Monday 20 May 2024

Information and images are also viewable on hoardings (pictured right) which can be found near the Cuckoo Lane entrance to Clive Booth Student Village site.

CBSV-hoarding-with-information-on-the-redevelopment

Replacement of Headington Campus glass roof panels

Work is due to take place in April 2024 to replace cracked glass roof panels on the Abercrombie building and above the library area of the John Henry Brookes Building (JHBB). The complexities of the work - involving the use of crane lifts and the erection of internal scaffolding within JHBB - will require some short-term changes to access arrangements.

We currently expect preparations for this work to begin in the week commencing 15 April, with the replacements of the panels taking place over the weekend of 20 and 21 April to help reduce disruption.

There will be clear signposting put in place for that week and more detailed updates are being provided to Faculty of Technology, Design & Environment and Library staff to ensure awareness amongst building users and help ensure any alternative arrangements can be made, if required.

The current expected timeline of activity is as follows:

  • Monday 15 April - erection of scaffolding within the John Henry Brookes Building from the first floor area outside the library entrance. This construction of the scaffolding is expected to take two to three days and a signposted alternative route, including an alternative entrance to the library, will be in place while it is being built. Once the scaffolding is in place, building users will be able to return to previous access arrangements.
  • Friday 19 April - installation of a crane which is currently expected to be located on the piazza outside the John Henry Brookes Building. At this point, fencing and track laying will be implemented around the crane with an exclusion zone to ensure safety of campus users. The Colonnade building, including the Brookes Co-Op and dental practice, will continue to be accessible during this time.

  • Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 April - installation of glass panels. This work will involve the replacement of a panel on the JHBB and will necessitate an alternative route on the fourth floor of the library for a short period of time. Staff will be on hand during this time to signpost alternative access routes. The work will also involve the installation of two glass panels on the Abercrombie building. During this time, areas of the Abercrombie’s fourth floor will become inaccessible to ensure the safety of building users. Again, staff will be on hand during this time to signpost alternative access routes and places to work.

  • Monday 22 April - removal of remaining equipment, including the JHHB scaffolding, used as part of the works. This may take two to three days to complete and signage will continue to be updated if this causes any further changes to access routes.

This work will be weather dependent and it is therefore possible that the installation work will be postponed until the weekend of 27 and 28 April. This webpage will be updated after Wednesday 17 April to confirm if this delay is necessary.

If you have any questions or queries in relation to this work, please email the Estates and Campus Services Projects Team via ecs-projects@brookes.ac.uk 

Last opportunity to view Wheatley Campus’ engraved bricks (October 2023 update)

As the University continues to move all remaining activity from the Wheatley Campus as part of its Oxford Campus Vision, the coming months will provide a final opportunity to view the engraved bricks on the site.

Engraved bricks were added to the campus as part of the introduction of the Simon Williams Building, which officially opened in 2007.

It will not be possible to preserve or move the bricks once the University has moved all remaining activity from the site ahead of the 2024-25 academic year. Anyone wishing to view and take photos of the engraved bricks is therefore encouraged to do so by the end of Semester 2 in May 2024.

Instructions on reaching the Wheatley Campus can be found on the Oxford Brookes website.