PLANS for the first ‘smart homes’ in Oxford to help tackle the housing shortage have received an early flood of support.

Almost 50 people have backed the proposals for low-cost apartments in Cowley, which would be built on a disused sports ground in William Morris Close.

Analysis by the Oxford Mail shows 48 of the 49 comments from the public are supportive, with just one objection lodged so far.

The 50sqm homes would be sold for upwards of £160,000 each and are targeted at key workers and first-time buyers.

Andrew Gilmour, a supporter of the scheme who lives in Catherine Street, said the scheme would 'provide people with somewhere to live at a fair cost'.

He wrote: "As someone in their late 20s, starting out in professional life and with plans to have a family, I understand how difficult the housing situation is in Oxford.

"Rent goes up every year without fail and prices are completely squeezing people like myself and my wife who are on basic salaries.

"We love Oxford and want to remain here but rent rates certainly do not make this easy.

"The idea of owing a home in Oxford is not even something to consider for couples like us.

"The city needs more affordable housing."

And Emma Parker, of Edgeway Road in Marston, added it was a 'step towards' getting people on the housing ladder.

She said: "I work for the NHS so fully support this move.

"I hear very regularly of my colleagues considering moving away from Oxford because we cannot afford to keep living here".

Despite support among young people for the scheme, it has proved controversial among people living nearby who fear it could worsen traffic in an already congested area.

Bulan Road resident Steve Dawe said traffic conditions in Hollow Way during rush hours were 'already very difficult'.

And although it has been fenced off by the landowner, the site was also formerly used by the Lord Nuffield Club as a sports ground and many residents hope it could be used by the community again.

Objecting to the scheme, Mr Dawe wrote: "Alternative sites, [especially] car parks, do exist, without sacrificing green space."

Developers behind the new proposal insist the compact design of the five blocks of flats would mean a large part of the site could remain open space for people to use.

But the biggest barrier to the scheme could be current city planning rules. This is because they include requirements for social housing and a mix of different types of homes, such as one-bed, two-bed and three-beds, in a development.

These could be changed in a review of the Local Plan, the blueprint for development in the city, and officials hinted they are open to the idea.

Jayne Woodley, chief executive of Oxfordshire Community Foundation, said it should be 'commended on every front'.

She told the city council: "All the new homes will be exclusively for key workers also sets a great precedent for this and other sites which should I believe be a significant and deciding factor when granting planning permission."

The public consultation on the scheme ends on December 21.

To comment, visit public.oxford.gov.uk/online-applications and use the reference 16/02651/OUT.