HOUSES in an upmarket development in West Oxford featuring affordable homes next door to £1.2m townhouses will go on sale next month.

There will be 12 homes on the former Avis car hire site, including six three and four-bedroom homes, and six one and two-bedroom affordable apartments, with one allocated for shared ownership.

A previous application broke the council's rules on the level of affordable housing, with the now-approved plan increasing the total to 12.

Alongside the affordable homes at the riverside development called Beaumont Gate the townhouses are expected to go on the market for £1.2m each, according to developer CALA Homes.

The short distance from Oxford Station will make the homes in Abbey Road desirable for commuters, the developer says.

Helen Colman, sales and marketing director at CALA Homes Chiltern, said: “Nestled in the heart of Oxford, Beaumont Gate offers a special opportunity to own a stylish new home in a highly sought-after area.

"This exciting new development is ideal for families looking for contemporary, spacious homes with excellent schooling, strong transport links and a host of amenities all on the doorstep.

"We have already been inundated with enquiries about these new homes and I’d encourage anyone looking to take advantage of this unique opportunity to register their interest now, to be the first to receive information about these exclusive new properties."

Jericho and Osney city councillor Colin Cook said: "These homes are a short distance from the train station and as a result people will be prepared to pay London prices for a three-bedroomed home.

"It's just as well we did insist on a proportion of affordable housing otherwise all the homes might have been priced at £1m each.

"We will continue to insist on developers providing some affordable housing when new homes are being built.

"It never ceases to amaze me when I see the high prices developers put on homes in Oxford and the prices people are prepared to pay."

Mr Cook said earlier that a previous application for nine homes by Banner Homes, acquired by CALA Homes in 2014, was refused by the council as it would have 'limboed under' the council's10-home ruling, which says developments of 10 homes or more must be at least 50 per cent affordable.

The developers appealed and the matter went before a planning inspector which found in the council's favour.

Mr Cook said the CALA Homes development was a 'good outcome' for the site, with some affordable housing, and architects' designs which would blend in well with the surrounding area.

About £13,000 has also been allocated towards community improvements, through a Community Infrastructure Levy payment.

The apartments are set to be run by Bedfordshire Pilgrims Housing Association.

The city council has set a target of providing 2,050 affordable homes between now and 2023, 530 of which will be delivered by its own housing company.

The council has a policy that 50 per cent of developments must be affordable housing - available to rent or buy at no more than 80 per cent market value.