BM3 were appointed to prepare detailed proposals and submit a full planning application for the redevelopment of the East Oxford Community Centre (EOCC) and adjacent sites for new affordable housing. The site is approximately one mile from Oxford City Centre, the existing community centre building is a locally listed heritage asset.
Proposals for the project include the refurbishment of the existing community centre building as well as a new contemporary extension to this building to house new community uses, including two anchor tenants, Film Oxford and Fusion Arts. The remainder of the site is proposed to deliver affordable apartments.
Our vision was to ensure that the space met the needs of existing and new community centre groups and the local community as a whole. We looked to provide a safe, adaptable and welcoming venue for all to enjoy. We ran a series of open community consultation events and intimate stakeholder workshops to develop what was a relatively complex brief. Engagement with all users was critical as the project developed. In tandem with this a continued dialogue was undertaken the with the local authority planning and conservation officers.
The proposed residential schemes look to create safe, attractive and accessible (M4(2) and M4(3) compliant) apartments, which successfully integrate with the surrounding neighbourhood, helping to address local regeneration.
