Update on Hertford and Exeter Colleges’ sports hub plans

9 February 2026

Hertford and Exeter Colleges have long sought to support sport and physical wellbeing, both for their own students and, where possible, for the wider community. In recent years, the colleges explored whether improvements to their sports grounds at Marston could enhance facilities, improve access and enable wider public use.

In 2025 the colleges announced a joint proposal, designed to upgrade existing facilities, restore buildings, improve access, and make the site available to residents, schools and community groups – including free use for children from East Oxford schools without sports facilities during term time. It included a mix of facilities intended to support ongoing maintenance, ensure year-round use and enable public access.

On 18 November 2025, Oxford City Council’s Planning Committee considered Hertford and Exeter Colleges’ planning application. Unfortunately, the Committee decided not to grant planning permission.

The Committee’s decision reflected concerns relating to planning policy, including flooding and landscape impact. While the colleges had proposed measures to address these issues, the Committee concluded that the application did not meet the required policy tests.

In light of this outcome, the colleges do not currently intend to pursue further planning action. As registered charities, the colleges must act prudently and cannot commit additional funds without a reasonable prospect of success. Any future consideration would depend on clear guidance from the Council on the changes or conditions needed to meet policy requirements, should such guidance be forthcoming.

We regret that the proposed sports hub and associated improvements cannot now proceed. We would like to thank everyone who engaged thoughtfully with the proposals and supported the colleges’ ambition to improve and widen access to sporting facilities.