A house that dodged the bulldozers 60 years ago is on the market today for a shade under £1m.

Under plans to extend the ring road In 1948, Oxford City Council proposed building a flyover above the property in Iffley village.

But number two Abberbury Road was saved because the owner at the time happened to be the chairman of the planning committee.

Mrs M White, MBE, blocked the proposals and her home in Abberbury Road and the rest of the village remained a rural retreat. Frances Wainwright, who lives there with airline pilot husband Phil, uncovered the story of their home’s narrow escape by chance.

She said: “Iffley village has a history society and they published a series of books about the area’s heritage.

“I was volunteering in the village shop when I started leafing through one of their books and spotted our house.

“It was mentioned in an extract from a book called Oxford Replanned by Thomas Sharp, published for Oxford City Council in 1948.

“It showed a map and plans for a dual carriageway on an elevated concrete bypass going right over the top of this house and the thatched cottage opposite.

“Thankfully, the lady who owned and lived in this house was a councillor and head of planning for Oxford City Council, so it was rejected.

“It’s shocking that they even considered putting a flyover through the village as it is such a pretty and beautiful place to live.

“The whole of Oxford should be pleased it never happened.”

The house, which was built in 1926, includes a sitting room, study, kitchen/dining/family room, master bedroom with en suite bathroom, two more bedrooms, a family bathroom and another bedroom/family room.

Number 2, Abberbury Road has a guide price of £995,000.

For more information, or to arrange a viewing, contact agents Carter Jonas on 01865 511444 or visit carterjonas.co.uk