ANGRY residents have criticised plans to name a street at the Temple Cowley Pools site after a community leader with ‘no connection’ to the area.

The name Sher Afzal Close was chosen by Oxford City Council's executive board at a meeting last month in honour of Sher Afzal Khan, who died in 1999.

A champion of Pakistani immigrants in Oxford, he launched the Pakistan Welfare Association in the city and worked to integrate the Asian community in East Oxford and Cowley.

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But Judith Harley, of the Old Temple Cowley Residents’ Association, said she and other members had only learned about the decision after the meeting and were opposed to the choice.

She said: “There was an initial consultation but that didn't feature the name and it only appeared in October. We objected and heard nothing back.

"I hit the roof when I found out.We wanted the name to reflect something about the area but he seems to have had no local connection.

“They say he did a lot in East Oxford but that is a big area and we wanted something that was more specific and meaningful."

 

The three original suggestions proposed by developer Catalyst, which is building 48 homes on the former swimming pool site, were Cufas Lea Way, Matilda Close and Wycombe Way.

A lack of support for these choices led to ward councillors suggesting Stan Taylor Close, after another former councillor, and Sher Afzal Close.

A report to councillors said officers considered other suggestions such as Templars Way, Templars End and Knights Close to ‘contravene the council’s policy’ because they were too similar to existing street names in Oxford.

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The role of choosing new street names in the city is usually delegated to council officers but due to the lack of agreement the decision went to the executive board.

On the option to honour Sher Afzal Khan, the report stated: “The Pakistani community in Oxford strongly believes that he should be recognised for his dedication and hard work for encouraging community integration and cohesion long before there were any national policies in place.”

 

Sher Afzal Khan

There have been at least three previous attempts to name a street after Mr Khan, with developments in Rose Hill, Marston and Cowley all put forward more than a decade ago.

Council leader Susan Brown said: “I am delighted that we have been able to honour a long-standing member of Oxford’s community who by all accounts was renowned for his generous spirit and his willingness to help others, particularly immigrants and those who were new to the area.

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"Mr Sher Afzal’s name has been suggested several times before because he was so highly regarded by many local people.”