18/01389/FUL

16 Northmoor Road Oxford OX2 6UP

2 July 2018

 Sub-division of existing building to create 4 x 2-bed and 2 x-1 bed flats (Use Class C3). Demolition of existing rear extension and erection of a three storey extension to north elevation with external staircase and bin and cycle store.

Until very recently, this was an Oxford University college-owned block for the use of post-graduates. Nowhere on the application is it stated as to whether this application is now a privately-owned development, for the use of families in the two-bedroom flats, who will inevitably need cars. If so, then the plan constitutes over-development. In this very busy parking area (the church next door attracts hundreds of people, many in cars, for events most days of the week – they use the 3-hour slots on weekdays – and the current residents anyway deserve priority) it is vital that future residents are excluded from the parking permit scheme. It is stated that there would be room for 3 cars on site, but this is an over-optimistic claim. Not enough cycle spaces are planned for the number of bedrooms. Visibility splays must be kept to. Altogether, this application needs more careful planning before being permitted.