A FORMER home of CS Lewis that fans feared could be torn down is to remain standing.

Residents and enthusiasts of the Oxford author complained last year after his former residence in Holyoake Road was advertised for “potential redevelopment”.

They feared the house could be demolished after itwas put out to be developed for £1.6m, by agents Elwood and Company and Strutt and Parker.

Now there are plans to keep the unlisted house, formerly called ‘Hillsboro’, and build behind it.

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Plans submitted to Oxford City Council show how two five-bedroom properties would go up in the back garden.

A garage extension, which was built in the 1930s, would be demolished to provide access to the two new homes.

CS Lewis enthusiast and author of e-book CS Lewis in Oxford: A Guide for Visitors Ronald Brind, 69, said: “I didn’t want it to be torn down.

“It’s good that it’s staying but there still ought to be some recognition for Lewis and the place he lived.”

The Chronicles of Narnia author and Oxford don lived at 14 Holyoake Road between 1923 and 1929 with his “adopted” mother Janie King-Moore, before buying The Kilns, in Risinghurst, in 1930.

Father-of-three Mr Brind added: “Lewis and his friend Paddy Moore went to war, and they made a pact that if one died they would look after the other’s family.

“Paddy was killed, and Lewis went to live with Paddy’s mother, Janie King-Moore, at the home.”

Mr Lewis wrote parts of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe at The Kilns and stayed there regularly until his death in 1963.

Wheatley resident and former CS Lewis tour guide Mr Brind said: “Nobody knew about Lewis’s connection to Holyoake Road before I started bringing them down here on the tour.

“There should, at the very least, be a blue plaque that tells people both Lewis and Janie King-Moore lived here.”

Resident of nearby St Anne’s Road, Robin Cunningham, said: “I was completely unaware, had no idea that CS Lewis used to live there.

“It should be recognised by some form of blue plaque.”

A Holyoake Road resident, who did not want to be named, said: “It’s good that the property will still be there, the building work for the two new homes will be a little disruptive but as long as it stays residential I’m happy.

“We’re just pleased it’s not going to be student housing.”

Eda Forbes of the Oxfordshire Blue Plaque Scheme said: “The board erected a plaque for CS Lewis at The Kilns.

“The rule is only one plaque for each person.

“The residents could, of course, consider erecting their own plaque.”

The agents dealing with the planning application, Witney-based chartered surveyors Edgars Ltd, did not respond to messages left asking for comment.

People can comment on the plans for 14 Holyoake Road by visiting public.oxford.gov.uk/online-applications/ and quote reference number 14/03474/FUL. The deadline is January 22.

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