Plans for the first-ever car-free residential development in Oxford could be axed due to a row over providing a footbridge to serve the site.

Developers have put forward proposals to build 87 two-bedroom flats on a strip of land beside the railway, just north of Cripley Road.

The development would have just 13 parking spaces, with the vast majority of residents expected to get around on foot or by bicycle.

But developers and council highways officers say the flats must be linked to the city centre by a footbridge across the railway if they are to prove attractive to home-buyers.

Planners say not enough cash has been set aside to fund the bridge properly and fear it could be an eye-sore. Talks will now be held on other ways of linking the development with the city. Mike Ford, head of planning policy for the city council, said: "It is a dilemma and I am not convinced about the bridge. It will be a large, obtrusive structure which people will not want to use."

The developers behind the plans, St Lawrence Properties and British Rail Property, put the cost of the new bridge at £500,000, with £1m also needed to improve roads, footpaths and other infrastructure in the area. Mr Ford said the cash would only be enough for a very basic bridge design.

Green Party councillor Mike Woodin said: "I would be concerned about this development going ahead without a footbridge because it is such an awkward and inaccessible site. But it would be a shame for the first car-free development in the city not to succeed."

Story date: Thursday 25 February

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