Controversial home on edge of Oxford could get green light

Developers are looking to knock down outbuildings at 5 Cuddesdon Road in Horspath to replace them with a new two-storey detached home and a 2.5-storey building with three one-bedroom apartments.

Horspath Parish Council has objected to the proposed development, calling it an overdevelopment of the site.

Hayley Kogel, clerk to the parish council, said: “Councillors object to this application and recommend refusal on the grounds that it is an overdevelopment of the site.”

Two other neighbours in Horspath have also claimed the new home and apartments would not be in-keeping with the village.

The chicane in Cuddesdon Road

Horspath householder Andrew Gandy said: “This is an area of family homes and flats or apartments are out of vibe on such a busy part of the road.”

Martin Harris, who lives next door to the proposed development, said Cuddesdon Road already sees a lot of cars passing through and claimed the development would “reduce road safety”.

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He claimed vehicles emerging from the home and apartments would disturb the flow of traffic on the road.

“With such a busy road passing close outside the vehicular gate to No.5, it should be essential to improve the visibility between drivers in this flow of traffic and any drivers from No.5,” Mr Harris added.

Planning officer Paul Bowers said in a report: “The application seeks permission for a new vehicular access onto Cuddesdon Road which is subject to a 20mph speed limit.

“However, no vehicular visibility splay diagram for the proposed new vehicular access onto Cuddesdon Road has been submitted.

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“Vehicular visibility splays of 2.4m x 25m were measured on site and were deemed achievable, therefore this can be taken care of by way of the proposed condition.

“The applicant is proposing a car parking provision of one space per dwelling (three total) with an associated turning area; this is acceptable and in line with Oxfordshire County Council standards.

“The applicant has indicated an area where cycle parking and bin storage are proposed. Cycle parking must be accessible by the residents of the proposed dwellings independently at all times.

“The proposed cycle parking area appears acceptable in terms of location. However, cycle parking facilities have not been demonstrated in the submitted documentation.”

Oxfordshire County Council, the highways authority, has not objected to the application subject to conditions being agreed to.

This includes prior to the use of the new vehicular access, visibility splays are provided in both directions.

The proposal will be decided by South Oxfordshire councillors on Wednesday evening (May 20).