Council vetoes student flats plan (From Oxford Mail)

Council vetoes student flats plan

7:00pm Wednesday 22nd February 2012 in News

PLANS to knock down two buildings in Cowley Road and replace them with a shop, offices and 18 student rooms have been refused.

Oxford City Council’s east area planning committee last week rejected the plans saying the development would be “overbearing” and would reduce family housing in the area.

RMA Properties wanted to demolish 220 and 222 Cowley Road, currently a shop with a flat above it, and a five bedroom house with offices behind, on the corner of Randolph Street. The firm planned a three storey building including a shop and offices on the ground floor, and 18 student study rooms on the second and third floors.

Council leader Bob Price said it was rejected because of its impact on Randolph Street, and the loss of family housing.

As reported in the Oxford Mail, there has been increasing concern in East Oxford at large numbers of properties being converted to student properties.

St Hilda’s College recently came under fire for pulling out of a deal to redevelop a site in Chapel Street, off Cowley Road.

Ward councillor Nuala Young said the college had served as “a Trojan Horse,” by helping to secure planning permission for the developers, who are now planning to build private student flats on the site.

She said the city had been robbed of a much needed site for affordable homes as a result.