DESIGNS for a major new development in Littlemore are set to go on show to the public.

Developer and charitable organisation The Donnington Hospital Trust is hoping to build 140 homes on land it owns north of the Littlemore Mental Health Centre.

But it will mean constructing a new junction on the dual- carriageway section of the A4074 Oxford to Wallingford road.

Littlemore resident Dorian Hancock said: “From what I have seen it would seem to be a good idea.”

But he questioned whether an access to the A4074 would be enough.

“These people are going to need public transport and they probably won’t get it if access is from the A4074.”

The land, which is bordered by the dual-carriageway, the mental health centre and the Cowley branch railway line, has been earmarked by Oxford City Council for housing in its sites and housing plan.

Vehicles will have to enter and leave the site from the A4074 on a ‘left in, left out’ junction although a footpath will be created to link the site to Littlemore.

The development will be made up of terraced and semi-detached houses which will be mainly three bedrooms, although smaller and larger homes will also be built. Half of them will be affordable.

Included in the development is a small park in the centre with another two play areas in the northern end of the site.

The site is on the other side of the railway line from the former Dominion Oils site in Railway Lane where developers had hoped to build 78 homes. That plan was thrown out by the city council in August.

John Tanner, who represents Littlemore on Oxford City Council, said: “Oxford desperately needs new homes for local people and I think the people of Littlemore will like the idea of a junction off the Reading road as it would stop extra traffic getting on to the Sandford Road.

“We have to look at all the details, and the issues surrounding this will be discussed by councillors and officers.”

According to the application, the proposed junction would require minimal alterations to the dual carriageway and would have “little or no impact” on drivers using the A4074.

Public transport access is described as good, but the application acknowledges there are no bus stops in the area.

It suggests residents could walk to existing bus stops in Rose Hill and Littlemore.

A public exhibition on the plans is set to be held this week at Littlemore Village Hall.

It is due to take place on Thursday, between 4pm and 8pm.