A CONTROVERSIAL ‘car-free’ plan for 38 flats and houses on the site of a former petrol station in Cowley has been described as ‘complete fantasy’ despite being recommended for approval.

The Between Towns Road site, which is owned by Oxford City Council, is earmarked for a four or five storey block containing 35 flats plus three homes – but only six parking spaces.

Oxford City Council, which owns the site, put in an application in December for the land, and neighbours were quick to share concerns the ‘car-free’ proposals would lead to a ‘flood’ of vehicles on nearby St Omer Road.

Resident Mark Watson contacted the Oxford Mail to express his frustration a Controlled Parking Zone planned for neighbouring streets was not guaranteed.

Read residents full fears that a lack of parking will cause a 'flood of vehicles'

He said: "[The planning officer's] justification is that as on street parking is already limited on the approaching residential roads, the shortage of existing parking provision will stop people moving in from 'choosing' to own a car. It is complete fantasy."

A report advising Oxford City Council's east area planning committee to approve the scheme pointed to good public transport links already in place adding: "Whilst the concerns around accumulation of vehicles on the surrounding roads are recognised, it is considered that the site represents a sustainable location in terms of its proximity to key facilities and services including shops, supermarkets and schools."

It stated two disabled parking spaces and a car club space would be provided for the flats, as well as one space per house.

Oxford Mail:

The derelict Murco garage in 2017. Picture: Jon Lewis

Among those opposing the scheme is city councillor David Henwood, who had initially been enthusiastic about the proposals, which will be 50 per cent affordable housing, but when the full application was revealed said:“Social housing is desperately needed, and in an ideal world this application would normally be welcome.

“The recent introduction of the ‘car-free’ Venue community hub in Cowley has born witness to residents simply parking cars in nearby streets. This is also true of the flats on Barnes Road, where little parking provision has created congestion in neighbouring streets.”

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County councillor John Sanders also raised concerns about the scale of development on the former Murco garage but the report stated it was viewed the designs were an 'appropriate transition' between residential St Omer Road and the nearby larger buildings on Between Towns Road and Barns Road.

There was also fears a popular foot and cycle path next to the derelict garage would be lost after police advised of safety risks, but the report stressed closure was not something being considered.

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It stated: "Officers consider that closure would be substantially counterproductive in terms of achieving permeability of access within the immediate area."

A final decision on the application is set to be made by members of the city council's east area planning committee on Wednesday.

View the full plans via oxford.gov.uk