TELEVISION personality Kevin McCloud has been accused of trying to distance himself from an unpopular planning proposal in Oxford.

The claims come after only two of the three proposals put forward by Haboakus – a joint venture between Mr McCloud, pictured, and housing association GreenSquare – were approved by city councillors on Wednesday.

Councillors backed plans to build 21 flats at Westlands Drive, Northway and a proposal for 47 houses in Maltfield Road, Northway.

But a third plan, for 40 flats on the former Cowley Community Centre site at Barns Road in Cowley, was refused because of a lack of car parking provision.

Mr McCloud was absent from the meeting.

The TV personality is believed to have last visited the city to speak about the plans in September 2011, shortly before residents started to complain about the proposals.

Boswell Road resident Martin Tasker, 63, said: “Kevin McCloud wasn’t there.

“I think he is probably trying to hide away from it at the moment to be honest, but I bet he’s not happy at all.

“We were a bit stunned by the decision to be honest, pleased but stunned, because we thought it was going to go the other way. The problem is, the plans aren’t practical. They don’t address the parking issues.”

Mr McCloud was last night unavailable for comment on the issue.

Haboakus project director Simon McWhirter said: “We are deeply disappointed that our proposals for Barns Road – which would help meet additional local demand for housing, further enrich the quality of community facilities in the area, boost the neighbourhood economy, and provide employment opportunities for local people – have been rejected.

“We now need to consider what the implications of last night's decision are for the entire project, including the schemes at Northway that were supported by the committee.”