RESIDENTS of a Littlemore Street towered over by a huge warehouse development are hopeful money generated from it can be used to improve their area.

Last year people living in Spring Lane claimed the buildings breached planning conditions as one was higher than originally proposed.

A noise barrier installed to screen the new warehouses was also criticised for making the street feel like an 'industrial estate' while some residents were angered about a hedge being removed as part of the work.

But now those living in Spring Lane say they are hopeful some improvements can be made using community infrastructure levy (CIL) money - funds developers pay to offset impact on neighbours.

It is believed about £12,000 of CIL money could be available.

Maureen Kimber, who has lived in the street with her husband Alan for 33 years, said: "I suppose this is a bit of good news, the street needs cleaning up because of where they dug the hedge up.

"We heard a couple of weeks ago that we could be getting the street tidied up and hopefully it will go ahead.

"We look across our living room and the warehouse is the only thing we see.

"They are not taking it down even thought it is too big.

"There is nothing much else we can do, we just have to put up with it."

In January Oxford City Council granted a planning variation that allowed the buildings to remain unchanged despite being about a metre taller than originally intended.

CIL money is given to local authorities by developers to help develop infrastructure or make improvements in an area, often connected to a major development.

Mum-of-three Amanda Rogers said she hoped the money could be spent on road safety measures in Sandy Lane West.

She said: "When I found out about the money I thought we should get some CCTV put in, for example, or even more lighting.

"Anything that would put people off speeding in Sandy Lane West, the road is an accident waiting to happen."

Littlemore Parish Council is involved in the discussions over how the money could be spent.

Parish councillor Dorian Hancock said it was up to the council as a whole to make that decision, rather than individual councillors.

He said: "The CIL money can be used for various things in Littlemore so it is not quite dedicated to Spring Lane.

"People in the past have suggested a pelican crossing in Sandy Lane West but they can cost between £30,000 and £50,000 so we shall have to wait and see."

Developer Kier Property did not respond to a request for comment.