A HAND sanitiser storage vault, more 5G masts and objections to a huge new extension to a Christian centre are some of the building projects in Oxford this week.

For full details see oxford.gov.uk/planning

SANITISER STORE: A giant metal cupboard full of hand sanitiser could be built on a vacant building plot currently used as a car park.

Oxford University wants to build a temporary hand sanitiser store on the building plot at the centre of the Radcliffe Observatory Quarter.

In a letter explaining its plans, the University says it is currently storing hand sanitiser in locations across its estate, but adds because it is flammable, this is deemed to be a risk.

The industrial quantities of hand sanitiser would be moved to locations like the store in the Radcliffe Observatory Quarter to prevent this risk.

As many as 750l of the liquid could be stored in the new temporary building in 5l containers.

The building is described as looking similar to a shipping container.

Oxford University has plans for a huge complex of buildings at the vacant plot in the centre of the Radcliffe Observatory Quarter.

Planning reference: 21/00790/FUL

78 Banbury Road, Oxford. Picture: Google Maps

78 Banbury Road, Oxford. Picture: Google Maps

CHRISTIAN CENTRE: Residents have started to object to plans to covert a North Oxford home into an office attached to the Christian centre next door.

Under plans being considered, the house at 78 Banbury Road would be joined to 76 Banbury Road by creating a new office building and auditorium across the back garden of both properties.

Number 76 is currently home to the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics and the two buildings and the new extension would be an expansion of their current base.

Nearby residents have started to submit their thoughts on the plans, with many objecting to the plans affect on the surrounding conservation area.

Among others, Vernon King of Fyfield Road wrote: “I believe this application, apart from all its other shortcomings is fundamentally in conflict with the principles of preservation and enhancement contained in the North Oxford Victorian Suburb Conservation Area Appraisal and should be refused.”

Oxford Preservation Trust has previously objected.

The new building behind the two Victorian homes would include a circular modern auditorium and corridors with gothic-arched roofs.

Planning reference: 20/02417/FUL

The corner in Headington Quarry where a 5G mast could be built. Picture: Google Maps

The corner in Headington Quarry where a 5G mast could be built. Picture: Google Maps

5G MAST: A 5G mast set to be built next to a Headington Park has attracted criticism for being overbearing.

The mast would be built on the junction of Quarry Hollow and Quarry Road, outside the Quarry play area.

Mobile network operator Three wants prior approval permission, which is a basic check on whether building work can take place without a full planning application.

Tania Young, who lives nearby wrote to object to the plans.

She said: “ Apparently the phone company suggested it might be ‘sympathetically camouflaged’. Let’s not tolerate such weasel words: there is no way of camouflaging such a huge eyesore which would dominate the entrance to the conservation area of Quarry Hollow, towering above the trees in the park.”

Planning reference: 21/00782/T56

WALL REPAIR: Repairs to the garden walls within St Catherine’s College could go ahead.

Some of the walls in the gardens around the Grade-I listed building have begun to slip out of place.

The college wants permission to repair them.

St Catherine’s college was built in a modern style in the 1960s by Danish architect Arne Jacobsen.

Planning reference: 21/00246/FUL

TENTS TIME: A marquee put up in haste in a college quad has been approved.

Nuffield College applied for planning permission after it had put up the marquee to provide extra dining space during the pandemic.

Planning reference: 21/00090/FUL