A CHURCH hoping to transform an empty East Oxford primary school into a community centre and houses has written to residents to try to allay fears over the scale of development and impact on parking.

The Victorian building in Hertford Street was bought by Magdalen Road Church last year to house its growing flock as well as offering space for local groups to meet.

It was sold by St Mary and St John Church’s Parochial Church Council, which has acted as trustee since the property was vacated by St Mary and St John’s Primary School in 2017, with all classes moving to one larger site at the end of Bedford Street.

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Following the submission of a formal change of use application in October, there have been dozens of letters in support of the plans but several residents raised concerns over the 'magnitude' of the development, which includes a new extension to house the church's 180-strong congregation, as well as the impact on parking.

Resident Clare Rourke wrote: "The parking situation for residents around the proposed site has for some time been intolerable. Being situated between implemented Controlled Parking Zones has caused roads in this vicinity to become saturated with cars without permits from the surrounding area."

Dr Catherine Green, of Magdalen Road, raised similar issues and wrote she was also worried about a 'significant departure' in the size of the development.

 

Magdalen Road Church members celebrate the purchase of the Irvine Building. Picture Ed Nix

In a letter to residents sent last month, Pat Brittenden, one of the leaders of Magdalen Road Church, said they had carried out more than 30 public meetings in five months as well as knocking on 175 doors and feedback had been 'almost entirely positive'.

He added: "It was not until some negative comments appeared on the council's planning portal that we had any sense that a few people has some misgivings about the plans."

On parking, Mr Brittenden said the group had a 'robust travel plan' to minimise the impact and were aiming to keep overall car use below 15 per cent of the Sunday congregation.

On the issue of building seven houses on the site, he explained this was partly to fulfill a sale requirement as well as making the bid more attractive.

He said: "Without the houses, we would never have been able to purchase the site."

 

Pat Brittenden outside the former primary school. Picture: Ed Nix.

Mr Brittenden added all the revenue generated will be used to pay off a loan the church took out to buy the building.

If a full planning application is approved for the site, the development is expected to take one year to complete.

For more information and to keep up to date with the scheme visit oldschoolhouseoxford.org/