Following planning committee approval last year, we’re pleased to have recently secured planning permission for the major refurbishment and extension of Linton Lodge Hotel to a 123-room 4-star boutique hotel.
This project will make an important contribution to meeting the need for visitor accommodation in Oxford. The hotel will also make a valuable contribution to Oxfordshire’s visitor economy and generate an additional ~£2.1 million in GVA and ~£1.7 million in visitor spending, as well as facilitate 15 new jobs.
After two rejected planning applications in 2016 and 2018, the client approached Edgars and Riach Architects in November 2021 to form a new design team to develop proposals that would address the previous rejections. We carried out a detailed analysis of the previous refusals and worked closely with the client, Riach Architects, and the design team to undertake significant pre-application engagement with the Council’s planning and conservation officers.
Riach Architects prepared a high-quality design approach to the redevelopment, which was refined through engagement with officers and the local community, and key evidence was prepared to highlight the benefits of the scheme and respond to any latent concerns. In doing this, planning officers and Oxford’s Planning Committee resolved to approve the scheme, noting that the benefits of the redevelopment outweighed the impacts.
The approved scheme removes and replaces the out-of-date 1970s extensions with high-quality and sustainable new buildings to enhance the North Oxford Conservation Area, better revealing and restoring its green garden suburb character, alongside improvements to the landscaping and biodiversity of the site.
The successful project team included the client – KE Hotels, Riach Architects, Worlledge Associates Heritage Consultant, Mode Transport Planning, Nicholsons, Waterman, Ecology Solutions, EB7, Air & Acoustics Consultants and Avison Young.
The client was thrilled with the positive outcome, and we look forward to seeing the development come to life in the near future.
“I am delighted with the outcome of the planning decision. We worked very closely with Oxford City Council, with the assistance of Riach Architects and Edgars to provide a proposal that will allow us to bring Linton Lodge up to a very modern standard and ensure the hotel has a sustainable future as a high-end boutique hotel.”
– Anil Khanna, Director, KE Hotels
If you’re looking for planning consultants to assist you with commercial property, estate planning, education facilities, masterplanning and more, we can help. Get in touch with us on 01865 731700 or email enquiries@edgarslimited.co.uk