Council approves student block plan
Householder have reacted with disappointment after controversial plans for a block of 44 students flats in Oxford’s Magdalen Road were given the go-ahead.
The scheme was originally turned down by Oxford City Council’s east area parliament. But that decision was called in and yesterday members of the council’s strategic development control committee voted to grant permission.
Councillor Elise Benjamin, who lives in Magdalen Road, said: “No one objects to students living in the area but we want balance. I am very disappointed and have received emails since from residents saying how disappointed and disgusted they were with the decision.”
University lecturer Nick Hewlett lives near the site in Magdalen Road.
He said: “The area is becoming more and more dominated by students.
“If you build student housing it takes students out of rented accommodation so it doesn’t increase the number of students around.
“But what happens, because it is such a hub of student activity, is that however much purpose-built accommodation you build, it will fill up and won’t empty those homes.”
A spokesman for Woodstock-based Vanderbilt Homes, which is behind the application, said it planned to start work in the summer with the building in use by September 2011.
He said: “We are delighted that the planning consent has been given for much-needed student accommodation which will release family houses for sale for families rather than students.”
Source: http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/pagepeel/4812610.Council_approves_student_block_plan/