A PLAN to transform a semi-detached Cutteslowe house so it can be used for multiple occupation has been criticised for 'squeezing the maximum number of people' in.

Despite criticism of plans for 37 Templar Road, the home will have a huge, flat-roofed two storey extension built onto the rear of it, with the intention of renting out rooms in the House of Multiple Occupation (HMO).

Councillors on Oxford City Council's west area planning committee approved the plans on Tuesday.

But three neighbours of the house had spoken to object to the plans, due to the overbearing nature of the extension, and the potential for anti-social behaviour from residents.

And committee member Louise Upton had reservations about the lack of a sitting room or communal space.

She said: "I don’t think there is any reason not to be an HMO here but what depresses me about this application is the tiny amount of communal space provided for the six occupants. It has clearly been done with the desire to squeezing the maximum number of people possible into it. "

The committee was told most of the building work could be done under permitted development rules if they did not approve the plans, and decided to approve them.