Planning submitted for the phased redevelopment of Wellington Square, Oxford

Our team in Oxford have submitted proposals to Oxford City Council for the phased redevelopment and refurbishment of Wellington Square in central Oxford. 

The proposals for client Oxford University Development include the redevelopment of 25 Wellington Square to create modern office and teaching accommodation arranged over four storeys. At ground level, retail spaces will be introduced to enliven the square and encourage daily activity and life across the campus. A second phase will see the refurbishment of the Western Terrace, delivering around 100 high-quality graduate rooms in a mix of sizes, establishing Wellington Square as a place to live, study and gather within the city centre. 

As lead landscape architect, Gillespies has shaped a public realm strategy that reimagines Wellington Square as a welcoming, sustainable and fully accessible environment. Our proposals improve pedestrian and cycle connectivity between the square and Little Clarendon Street, creating clearer, more intuitive routes through the site. Cycle movement has been carefully reconfigured to promote safer and more responsible use, supported by improved cycle parking. 

A new public realm gateway at Walton Street will establish an inviting entrance into the square, with new seating and a flexible social space to support everyday use, informal gathering and seasonal activity. Throughout the scheme, landscape improvements are closely integrated with the new building, strengthening the relationship between architecture and open space while delivering enhanced planting, more generous pedestrian connections and a clearer sense of arrival. Within the Western Terrace, the landscape strategy introduces calm, landscaped communal gardens that offer students spaces for respite and social interaction, alongside additional cycle parking associated with the refurbished accommodation. A new roof terrace provides students with space to study, socialise and relax while enjoying expansive views across Oxford. 

It has been a pleasure to work with an expert project team, including Stanton Williams, Carter Jonas, Montagu Evans, Potter Raper, Webb Yates Engineers, Skelly & Couch, Turner & Townsend, Alinea, Glanville Consultants, Kevin Murray Associates and Cascade. 

The planning application is now under consideration. Subject to approval, construction is expected to commence in 2027.

This project builds on Gillespies work across educational campuses in Oxford, including the recently completed Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities at the University of Oxford and proposals for Green Templeton College.