A FORMER industrial unit in East Oxford could be demolished to make way for housing.

Cantay Investments has applied for planning permission to demolish a large former workshop in Green Street and build two houses as well as an office with a flat above it.

In the application Cantay says: “The buildings were last used by a book binding manufacturing business but the site has been vacant for some years and makes no contribution to the city’s social or economic vitality.”

Cantay previously attempted to build houses on the site in 2012 but this was rejected on appeal by a government planning inspector.

The company says it has now made changes taking into account the planning inspector’s comments.

At the appeal the inspector drew attention to the character of Green Street, saying it is typified by several short runs of terraced properties each group differentiated by difference in detailing, bay window design and ridge height. Cantay says its three homes fit into this street pattern, reflect the scale and character of the neighbouring Victorian terrace frontages and add a group with its own “sympathetic but individual” character.

A decision will be made by planning officers at Oxford City Council.