NOT-SO GRAND DESIGNS
Relations between Exeter and Worcester strained over new building proposals.
Exeter College is hoping to create a new accommodation building to house 2nd and 3rd year students which would be situated near Worcester College.
However, the design has been described as “garish”, “unsightly”, and “wouldn’t be out of place in Birmingham.”
Professor Bate of Worcester College is amongst those who oppose the proposal on the grounds that it would ruin the “dreaming spires” of Oxford’s skyline.
Worcester is renowned for its pretty grounds and old-fashioned buildings, so the prospect of a new building invading their space would have an “adverse effect on the residential amenity of neighbours” according to Bate. He also expressed concern about the ‘inappropriately garish and intrusive materials’ which would be used to construct the roof of the building.
Ms Cairncross, the rector of Exeter College, supports the plans, stating that “We do not feel that colleges should go out of their way to deprive undergraduates of affordable accommodation.
We have been on our very constrained site since 1315 and are desperately short of student housing, especially for our third years and in the heart of Oxford.”
Exeter’s JCR president, Edward Nickell, was more to the point – “Never mind a bloody college orchard, 2nd and 3rd year Exonians don’t even get rooms! Worcester have ducks and lakes, while at Exeter we’re bottom in Oxford for living cost satisfaction and second from the bottom for our hall.”
The debate is on-going, but word is that Worcester College have offered to sell Exeter four large houses to reduce their accommodation shortage.