Student flat plan should be rejected (From Oxford Mail)

Student flat plan should be rejected

6:00pm Tuesday 14th February 2012 in Oxford

PLANS to create a three-storey block of student flats in Cowley Road should be rejected, according to council planners.

RMA Properties wants to demolish two properties and replace them with new business units and 18 student flats.

The buildings currently home The Leys Pharmacy with a flat above and a five-bedroom home next door. An Oxford City Council report urges the plan, to knock down the unit, opposite St Bartholomew’s Medical Centre, be refused by councillors.

Planning officer Steven Roberts said: “The development would result in the loss of two self-contained residential properties and would fail to mitigate the impact of the proposals on affordable housing.”

He said: “The development would have an adverse impact on visual and residential amenity.”

But a statement from John Philips Planning Consultancy, for RMA, says: “The development would have a positive impact on the public realm, resulting in a considerable upgrading of the site.”