AN OXFORD house where two people burned to death has been cleared for demolition after eight years.

Oxford City Council has given planning permission for Red Cottage on Old Abingdon Road to be knocked down and flats to be built in its place.

The grandchildren of the last woman who lived there are hoping they can open a “fresh chapter” in the site’s chequered history.

Red Cottage was already vacant and being used by squatters when it was the site of a double murder in 2007.

Homeless man James Cox, who had been sleeping in the house with girlfriend Sian Sanchez, but fellow squatter Howard Blake turned up there and forced him out.

On January 2 he deliberately started a fire which killed both Ms Sanchez and Mr Blake.

The following year, Cox, 63, was sentenced to life in prison and told he must serve a minimum of 20 years.

Oxfordshire County Council member for South Oxford John Tanner said: “It is a bit of an eyesore, plus we need every home we can get. The sooner it is developed, the better.”

Neil and Craig Bailey, who inherited the plot, applied for planning permission to redevelop it in March and were given the go-ahead last month.