Changes to Convent of the Incarnation in East Oxford likely to get go ahead at Oxford City Council meeting tonight

A new two-storey wing could be built at the Convent of the Incarnation in Fairacres Road, off Iffley Road, along with a single storey cottage. That would contain three flats.

Currently 25 nuns live at the convent.

Other improvements would contain a single storey fruit store, a single storey garage and workshop, two single storey glazed cloisters and a single storey extension to the St Joseph’s Building.

Some buildings on the site would be demolished to make way for the improvements.

The site is included on the Oxford Heritage Asset Register because of the Old Convent, St Mary’s and its Chapel buildings are set within a ‘green oasis’.

The new wing would include a new public entrance to the convent, with publicly accessible areas at the western part of the building and monastic features in the eastern part.

Oxford Preservation Trust said the plans would not be of a ‘high quality’ and that the cloisters would be a ‘clumsy’ addition.

The Victorian Group of Oxfordshire Architectural and Historical Society said the main building and the chapel should be listed because of their historical significance.

A total of 13 residents said they oppose to the plans. Reasons included potential concerns at the junction of Daubeney Road, Park Street and Warwick Street and worries about construction traffic.

The convent’s Chapter House, St Joseph’s Link, St Joseph’s Back, Lower Cloister, St Elizabeth of Hungary guest cell and a fruit store would be demolished for the changes.

A tool store, a garage and a chicken shed would also go.

The city council’s planning officers recommend the plan is approved.

In addition, two residents have supported the plan. One reason for that support was that the new facilities would make its buildings ‘more user friendly’.

Oxford City Council’s West Area planning committee will be asked to approve the project at a meeting tonight.

It will be held at Oxford Town Hall from 6pm.

The last planning application for the convent was passed in February 2012, which created an extension for a new lift shaft.