'I'll fight on to bulldoze house' says property developer (From Oxford Mail)

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'I'll fight on to bulldoze house' says property developer

5:50pm Thursday 22nd December 2011 in News By Damian Fantato

The house in Old High Street

A MAN who has so far failed to bulldoze a ‘listed’ Headington house has warned his fight is not yet over.

Martin Young had applied to Oxford City Council for permission to demolish 29 Old High Street, and build five three-storey terraced houses in its place.

But council officers last week refused him permission, claiming that even in its current state of disrepair the house contributes positively to the area.

Mr Young, 67, maintains demolition is the right thing to do despite the house sitting in the Old Headington Conservation Area and being listed as a historic building at risk.

Mr Young, a property developer who lives in Headington Hill, said: “I am not deterred from my overall intention because I don’t think the house has any viable future.

“This development is right for that site. It is very low density and it meets the need for housing in the city.

“I shall probably appeal. It is just a matter of assessing the best way to go from here.”

Mr Young has a history of disputes with the council.

And the authority previously imposed an improvement order on the Headington property when it fell into a severe state of disrepair, which means Mr Young has to carry out work to the property.

The council confirmed it would be focusing on making sure the improvement order is complied with before considering an empty home order, which would allow the authority to take it over.

The 19th century house, which Mr Young bought in 1978, has been empty for five years after he moved out to care for his mother.

When she died last year at the age of 98 he remained in the family home.

Earlier this year he told the Oxford Mail he had a “strong emotional block” towards going anywhere near the house.

He claimed the development would be “sympathetic” to the conservation area.

The property is listed by Save, a group which campaigns for threatened historic buildings, on its annual Buildings at Risk register.

Old High Street resident David Washbrook said: “The house as it currently stands is appalling, but that development is wholly inappropriate for the area.

“This is a small street of small houses and something that size would overshadow the rest of the street.”

Friends of Old Headington called the project “extreme over-development in a sensitive area”.

The group said that if the house had been kept in repair it would be “an asset” to the neighbourhood.

In their report, city council planners said: “The council considers that the building, even in its existing state, contributes positively to the character and appearance of the Old Headington Conservation Area.”

Comments(21)

Dilligaf2010 says...
6:28pm Thu 22 Dec 11

“This development is right for that site. It is very low density and it meets the need for housing in the city.
No, the development is right for your bank balance, nothing more, nothing less.
Renovate the house, sell it, and clear off.