PLANNING chiefs have given approval for an upper storey extension to a Jericho home despite advice that it would spoil the heritage of the area.

Oxford City Council's planning committee approved plans for a loft extension to the house on Great Clarendon Street at its meeting on Tuesday.

The council's planning staff had recommended the plans were refused because it would change the roofscape of the 'humble, Victorian' houses by interrupting it with a dormer window.

Alex Hollingsworth a member of the committee, said the council had recently approved a similar dormer window within the Jericho conservation area on Mount Street.

He added he felt there was 'no discernible difference' between the impact of the new dormer window on that street and how one would look on Great Clarendon Street.

But fellow committee member Louise Upton said she would vote to refuse the plans, describing approval as a 'slippery slope' which could lead to larger and much more out-of-character extensions being built on other Jericho homes.

Clifford Sofield, who applied to make changes to the house, told the council the plans would allow his family extra living space.

The majority of committee members voted to approve the plans, against the advice of officers.

The Jericho conservation area was created in 2011 to give special planning protection to the Victorian terraced houses in the neighbourhood.