AN office development is to be turned into housing in what is believed to be one of the first schemes of its kind in the country following new legislation.

Backers of the proposal for 1-20 Lakesmere Close, Kidlington, have been granted planning permission by Cherwell District Council to create 18 houses and four apartments, which are to be put on the market for £2.5m.

Permission has been given under the terms of the amended Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development Order) Act, which came into force at the end of May in a bid to create housing quickly.

But councillors admit they are not entirely happy with the new scheme, which has no provision for social housing.

Richard Venables, a partner at Kidlington commercial property agents VSL, which is handling the sale, said: “We are marketing it to an investor or developer who wants to buy the whole site.

“It is a good opportunity to provide much-needed housing for the area. The aim of the new legislation was to bring redundant property back to life and this is what has happened here.”

Lakesmere Close was built in about 1980, but just a handful of the 21 units are occupied, with agents saying the property is difficult to let in its current state.

Businesses at the site include Home Instead Senior Care, P and L Software Systems and Selby Dixon Reilly Solicitors.

None were available for comment, along with the developer Lakesmere Developments, but they are understood to have been told of the situation, and agents say leases will be honoured, although some tenants are likely to move.

But Cherwell councillor Michael Gibbard, who represents Yarnton, Gosford and Water Eaton, said: “The housing situation is very difficult in Kidlington as it is surrounded by green belt.

“But no social housing is required, whereas it would normally be up to 35 per cent in a new development.

“We were a little compromised as it is a change of use rather than a full planning application and our hands were tied. It has taken away land that was in employment use and the danger is that it could easily turn communities into dormitories.”

The planning application is the first of its kind to be dealt with by Cherwell District Council and was submitted on behalf of Lakesmere Developments by Oxford agents Lambert Smith Hampton on the understanding development must start by May 30, 2016.