18/03177/FUL

5 Osney Lane Oxford OX1 1NJ

13 January 2019

Part demolition of the existing property and subdivision to form 3 x 1 bed flats (Use Class C3). Erection of two storey rear extension. Replace 1no. door with 1no.  window to south elevation. Insertion of 2no. rooflights to south elevation. Alterations to roof. Provision of bin and cycle stores. 

The proposal is to demolish a pleasant small end of terrace house and replace it with 3 small 1 bed flats. The house is part of an attractive brick terrace of houses with a stone string course between the storeys. At the far end of the street is Christchurch Old Buildings, an important mid nineteenth century survival. Fortunately it is proposed to retain the frontage of the house.

Building 3 flats on the site would be over-development. Two thirds of the garden would be lost. The blank wall of the west elevation, which fronts traffic congested Hollybush Row, would be replaced by windows & a private balcony for flat 2. Pedestrians walking along the pavement & crossing the pedestrian crossing opposite the flats would look straight into living-rooms of flats 1 & 2. The balcony would have no privacy.

Flat one’s garden would be very small. The shared amenity space would do no more than allow access to the bicycle & bin storage.

The application does not mention air & noise pollution. No measurements or estimates of air pollution are given. There is no suggestion of filtering air to the flats to reduce health risks to the occupants from pollution.

It is our view that the proposal should be rejected because of over-development & the issues privacy, lack of amenity & failure to address air quality.