HE’S spent years at loggerheads with his neighbours, but controversial developer Martin Young has finally won their support.

Neighbours of 29 Old High Street, Headington, owned by Mr Young, pictured, raised no objection to plans to demolish outbuildings and extend it.

The planning bid even won the approval of the Friends of Old Headington group, which opposed previous plans.

But Mr Young’s application still faces refusal if councillors obey officers’ recommendations.

The 19th century house, which sits in a conservation area, was bought in 1978 by the property developer and has been unoccupied for the past five years. Earlier this year it was branded a “derelict eyesore” by neighbours, but little progress has been made on addressing the site to date. Mr Young’s original bid to knock down the house and build five homes was refused and then thrown out at appeal.

He has changed his plan to include the demolition of part of the home and its outbuildings, and a new extension to form one five-bedroom house. But despite the fact his new plans won the support of campaign groups and neighbours, officers have still recommended planning permission is refused.

The application, the latest in the long-running saga, is due to be heard by Oxford City Council’s east area planning committee tonight. The Friends of Old Headington initially opposed plans to replace the house with five different homes.

But last night spokesman David Cartwright said the group saw the new bid as a better option.

He said: “We regard this application as a huge improvement on Mr Young's earlier proposal for five townhouses.

“We would welcome the opportunity to see proper architect plans with more detail, but for the moment are happy to support this proposal.”

He said the group wanted to see the use of natural materials as much as possible for the extension.

However, council planning officers are not so keen.

A report to councillors said: “Having regard to the excessive size and bulk of the proposed extensions and to the proximity of the two storey side extension to the boundary of the site with 33 Old High Street, the proposal would appear prominent and intrusive in the street scene, would not appear subservient to the existing historic building and would result in the loss of an important visual gap between numbers 29 and 33 Old High Street.

“In this way the proposal would unacceptably detract from the character of the existing building and would neither preserve nor enhance the special character and appearance of the Old Headington Conservation Area.”

During a consultation period, letters from three neighbours supported the bid, as well as the backing from the Friends of Old Headington.

The proposal is due to be heard at Oxford Town Hall at 6pm tonight.