A £60M project to revamp Osney Power Station should finally get the go-ahead next week, city council officers have said.

Saïd Business School was asked to justify its plans for the executive business education centre by councillors in July.

Ahead of a meeting that will decide whether the project will be allowed, city council planning officers said they are supportive.

They said in a report: “Overall, given the identified design principles that are proposed to be adopted it is considered that the proposed development would not have any harmful impact at night on the significant character or appearance of the Osney Town Conservation Area, the Central Conservation Area or on the recognised view cones and long and close views of the site.”

As a result of the queries in July, designers made slight changes and said the building’s façade would be brought back from Arthur Street by 1.2 metres.

READ MORE: City company Oxford Virtual Markets Limited must pay out nearly £68k

There have been concerns from residents about the potential scale of the building, which would have 121 ensuite bedrooms. But there is also support, with some residents saying the business school has ‘made an exemplary effort to respect neighbourhood concerns’.

Sara Beck, the business school’s chief operating officer, said: “We are pleased that Oxford City Council planning officers have recommended our proposed development of Osney Power Station for approval next week.

“We have been working closely with our architects and advisors to address the previous questions raised by the [West Area] planning committee and refined our proposals accordingly. We are firmly committed to being a considerate neighbour and for the School to make a positive contribution to the local community.”

Saïd Business School has said the new project going ahead is important for its future plans.

It will use the revamped power station as an executive business education centre – and a replacement for its site in Egrove Park, near Kennington.

READ AGAIN: Cladding to be replaced at hospitals

It has said that facility is too small and too far from the city centre to meets its current needs.

The school said it spent £1.2m last year so its students – often international businesspeople – in the city centre.

It said making use of the currently vacant power station would mean that spend was no longer necessary.

The power station was opened in 1892 and operated initially by the Oxford Electric Company.

About £17.5m has been donated to the business school to fund its renovation.

It said: "The school considered redevelopment of the Egrove site as an alternative to the Osney Power Station proposal; however, this would not address the key shortcomings arising from the site's location and Green Belt designation."

The city council's West Area planning committee will meet at Oxford Town Hall next Tuesday from 6pm.