A NEW STUDY will highlight the threats facing one of Oxford’s conservation areas.

Oxford City Council is now asking for residents’ thoughts on its Headington Hill Conservation Area appraisal, which lists the areas and features of importance in the suburb.

Pullens Lane residents Graham Upton, who is also a member of Headington Hill umbrella group of residents’ associations, said: “This is a special part of Oxford’s history and heritage. It was the first part of the city across the river that was developed after the university relaxed its boundaries.

“Headington Hill has maintained that difference and it has a very rural feel.

“There are lots of trees and green spaces. There is not another part of Oxford like it.”

From the 1600s, Headington Hill was seen as an escape from Oxford’s busy city and the Morrell brewing family built their private estate there, including the Victorian mansion Headington Hill Hall.

During the 19th century, a number of other large houses were built around Headington Hill.

Until that time the area had been largely farmland.

The report said: “Evidence of the area’s rural character prior to suburban development is preserved as green open spaces, agricultural buildings and a network of narrow lanes with green verges and hedgerow boundaries.

“The crest and eastern slopes of the hill have offered distinguished views of the city that have been depicted by artists and writers over the past five centuries.”

Some of the buildings it highlights as being important include Headington School, Hill Top House and Headington Hill Hall which was home to disgraced publisher Robert Maxwell and his firm, Pergamon Press, before becoming part of Oxford Brookes University.

The report highlights the area’s loss of residential character as a threat, particularly the number of buildings in Pullens Lane being used by institutions rather than as houses. Private education company EF is currently seeking to expand Cotuit Hall in Pullens Lane to create a private college.

Mr Upton said: “Most people in this area are worried about the intensive development of that site.”

It is one of the many appraisals Oxford City Council has carried out in its conservation areas so they can be better preserved in future.