IT might not be your bog-standard house but someone could soon be living in a former public toilet in Summertown.

The loos by Alexandra Park could be converted into a three-storey house big enough for one person after designs were produced and lodged with Oxford City Council.

The 'imaginative' idea has been praised and property owners have been urged to explore whether similar spaces could be converted to aid the city's housing crisis.

Last year the city council put the toilet on the market and called for innovative uses to be brought forward.

Adrian James Architects, on behalf of the building's new owners, took on the challenge and produced the goods.

Mr James said: "It's very unusual because of its small footprint but it will be a very nice place for someone to live in a really nice area.

"Hopefully it will make people realise what can be done even with small sites but also it shows you can build higher density housing if you are inventive.

"With the rusty steel cladding it will be very intriguing to look at - a sort of mysterious, beguiling building."

He added: "The owners' brief was to be creative and so we were."

He said owners of similar properties also had a duty to explore the potential for housing in a similar manner.

Despite admitting the loo was 'rubbish' he said its only redeeming feature - the stone wall frontage would be kept as part of the design

The three-storey house will be big enough for one person to live in, with a kitchen, living room, bedroom, bathroom and bike storage - meeting the national standards in terms of space in a one-bed, one-person house.

The firm recently gained permission to convert a garage in East Oxford into a house - but needed a Government planning inspector to overrule Oxford City Council who had initially rejected the plans.

City councillor for the area, Andrew Gant, said it should be replicated across the city to provide more housing.

He said: "I welcome imaginative ideas for creating more much-needed housing in Oxford.

"This is a good idea - there are more places in Summertown which are currently not very effectively used and could produce similar results.

"This could then relieve some of the potential pressure on Green Belt from the large-scale proposals from the city and surrounding districts, with much better transport and connectivity."

Oxford City Council could make a decision on the proposals by January 17.