THE first of two 16 storey tower blocks to be built in Blackbird Leys was well under way in September 1961.
What was to become Windrush Tower was being constructed next to a row of terraced houses.
It sparked a planning row about the impact of the towers on views of Oxford from the surrounding countryside.
Some 3.8million homes had been built in Britain since 1945 but still more were needed due to rapid increases in population.
Some argued at the time that building up was the only way of preserving rural land as traditional homes would require far more space.
Another block of flats was due to be built in St Ebbe's but storeys had to be taken off due to objections.
Similar debates were going on across the country at the same time but Oxford was said to be taking the lead by building blocks of flats.
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