Knock it down

Vale of White Horse District Council rejected a bid to build the eight flats at 42 Wootton Road last year ruling the building would be “visually harmful” and out of character with the area.

But applicant and property owner Sarah Jones appealed and a planning inspector has reviewed the decision and ruled in her favour.

The decision has angered residents who fear the flats will overlook their gardens. They also raised concerns about extra traffic.

Planning inspector Jane Stiles said in her decision statement the building would not be out of place.

She said: “ To my mind, the proposal has been carefully designed so that it would relate to both neighbouring developments in terms of its scale and form.”

She added: “I am satisfied that the proposal would not harm the living conditions of adjoining occupiers in terms of overlooking, over-shadowing, or noise and disturbance.”

Wootton Road resident Peter Claire, 76, said it was frustrating it would now go ahead despite so much local opposition.

He said: “To suddenly plonk a three-storey flat-roofed building there is going to look pretty ghastly, as so many people thought.”

Ian Pozniak, 44, of Wootton Road, added: “I am surprised it went through because it is a significant piece of development right in the town centre.

“It is a shame that any house can be knocked down and flats can be put up.”

David Lowe, of Stevenson Drive, said the ruling could lead to further development on the street, adding: “A row of pleasant, family houses with gardens could, piecemeal, be replaced by a whole row of horrors.”

Pat Bryden, of the Friends of Abingdon Civic Society, said: “It will be sad seeing the house go.

“It is next to the other flats and people need houses but there are not going to be many nice houses left in Abingdon – they are all being knocked down.”

The Oxford Mail was unable to contact Ms Jones, while the planning agent declined to comment.