AN HISTORIC property and two long-vacant office blocks in East Oxford are set to become student flats after a Government planning boss overruled the city council.

Council planning officers had said the plans to convert Canterbury House in Reliance Way and two other buildings into up to 60 student rooms should be turned down as it would harm the area's character and take away employment space.

An appeal decision against three previous unsuccessful proposals – to convert to residential or student use – put forward by property firm Cantay Estates ruled these factors were not enough to turn the plans down.

Canterbury House was the home of well know Oxford photographer Henry Taunt from 1889 until his death in 1922 and now has a blue plaque commemorating him.

Cantay Estates director Tony Nolan said the historic building would be given some much-needed care.

He said: "We are pleased to now see that the officers have now recommended the application for approval.

"In particular it will allow us to embark on a comprehensive refurbishment programme for Canterbury House, which as you may have noticed is in a somewhat dilapidated state and in urgent need of attention."

Mr Nolan added his project would help the city's dire housing situation.

He said: "This development if permitted will also provide much needed supervised and managed bespoke student accommodation which potentially will free up properties to be released into the private residential market where at present the supply of new dwellings in the City is at an all time low."

Planning inspector Karen Ridge was satisfied the "loss of jobs would not reduce the diversity and availability of job opportunities and it would not result in the loss of small and start-up business premises."

The city council was also unconvinced office blocks at Adams House and Rivera House – vacant since they were built more than two years ago – had been properly marketed.

But the planning inspector was also satisfied estate agent Carter Jonas and subsequently Cluttons had taken a reasonable approach to market the office space.

A city council decision on the plans was delayed in November to wait for the Planning Inspectorate's decision.

In her report recommending councillors approve the change of use and outline plans for student rooms, council planning officer Felicity Byrne said: "The loss of employment use for the whole of the site has been accepted by the inspector and therefore the principle of residential use in this location is now agreed."

She concluded: "In light of the recent appeal decision, residential accommodation is now acceptable in this location and student accommodation would not be unacceptable in this sustainable location subject to conditions."

Oxford City Council's East Area planning committee will decide on the proposals tomorrow at Town Hall at 6pm.