THE start of a £2.2m flood alleviation scheme at Northway and Marston took a step closer this week after officers recommended the latest iteration of the project be approved.

The scheme, which will protect 110 homes from flooding, has already gained approval at two separate planning committee meetings this year.

At an East Area Planning committee meeting to be held on Wednesday November 2 officers have recommended that the final, revised plans be given the green light.

In a report prepared by officers Oxford City Council said that the plan would achieve ‘the same, significant public benefits as those originally approved’.

Marston councillor Mary Clarkson welcomed the officer’s recommendation.

She said: “I think everybody is committed to it and it means over 100 homes in Marston will have their homes protected from flooding.

“Its good news. It means some reassurance and it gives Marston residents the certainty that they are going to have protection from flooding in the future.”

The work is expected to begin at Northway Community Field and Court Place in January 2017.