A SENIOR councillor who was applauded after she prevented a flat complex’s tenants being allowed to apply for parking permits is to withdraw the decision.

Yvonne Constance, Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for environment, is responsible for parking permits and made the decision in October.

She was thanked by residents who had been opposed to the original planning application for the six flats in Wingfield House in Gathorne Road, Headington.

The decision will be rescinded tomorrow and is expected to be officially confirmed later.

In December, Wingfield House’s owner complained to the council that the decision made by Mrs Constance was ‘not valid’.

The county council denied that, but conceded reasons given for the refusal could have been ‘better expressed’ in minutes of the meeting.

Roz Smith, who represents Headington & Quarry on the county council and is opposed to any plan to allow further parking, said the case was a strong argument for a unitary authority.

She said: “We have two planning authorities – the city council dealing with planning matters and the county council working on highways issues." Residents complain there is no parking space in Gathorne Road and that when the development was approved, it was on the understanding it would be would be car-free.