OLD Marston residents have called plans for a large sheltered housing block on the edge of the village a “monstrosity”.

Oxford City Council is planning to knock down Bradlands House and replace it with a bigger building but some residents are unhappy about the level of input they have had into the designs.

Parish council chairman Charlie Haynes called the current plans for Bradlands a “monstrosity” and was concerned at it being in the Old Marston Conservation Area.

He said: “It would have been nice to be involved in planning the development because it will be massively intrusive and totally out of keeping with the rural surroundings. We appreciate that people need sheltered housing but we are adamant that the design is not right for the village.”

Mr Haynes said the three-storey building would be inappropriate for the small village. Old Marston Parish Council has objected to the proposals.

Mill Lane resident Rob Alexander said the proposed building would be too tall and “oppressive”.
Bradlands House is 40 years old and will be replaced by a new block for 45 people over three storeys.

Residents from Cumberlege House across the road will be moved into the new development. It is part of the city council’s scheme to build 112 new council homes in Oxford by 2015.

Local city councillor Mary Clarkson said: “The whole process has been ruined by treating consultation with residents as an after-thought.

“It’s a real shame because the decanting of existing residents and discussion of the plans with them to meet their needs has been excellent.”

In its application the city council said: “The proposals are designed to create an open, welcoming contemporary appearance.

“The overall composition, in which projecting bays, the stepped arrangement of the plan and the roof form, all help to break up the massing and avoid a monolithic appearance.”

Council spokesman Annette Cunningham said: “The planning service has carried out its normal consultation and also extended the consultation timetable at the request of the parish council.

“An officer also attended a parish council meeting on July 3 and the officer discussed any concerns raised.”

 Oxford Mail: Mary Clarkson

  • Mary Clarkson