A PLAN to allow summer visitors to use an East Oxford student accommodation block “does not bear thinking about”, residents have said.

They have urged Oxford City Council to refuse plans to allow a wider range of guests at Mansion Mews, in Glanville Road.

Its owner has applied to remove a condition of its 2012 planning permission that restricted the flats to students only.

Cheshire-based Mansion Student wants it to be open to “cultural and academic visitors and conference and summer school delegates”.

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Letters to the council spoke of students in the private flats already having parties late into the night and parking inconsiderately, despite a ban on students having cars.

But a council planning officer has recommended the east area planning committee approve the plan on Wednesday.

Reliance Way resident Peter Kemp told the Oxford Mail: “The noise from the Mansion Mews flats in the summer last year was very loud almost every night.

“It was unfair for local residents who were affected by the noise and must have been especially difficult for families with children or people who had to get up early for work the next day.

“Fortunately there was much less noise this summer.”

Don Stuart Place resident Kathryn Eley said: “Students park their cars to the edge of the road on Glanville Road and restrict visibility for residents leaving Don Stuart Place.

“There are near-misses every morning with students on bicycles and other cars due to inconsiderate parking from students and visitors to Mansion Mews.”

Sharon Murphy, a neighbour, said: “The difference in driving and community safety when the students are on semester is major, and I oppose this application on that basis.

“It is only a matter of time before a child attending Oxford Spires Academy on Glanville Road is injured by a car pulling out of Don Stuart Place due to lack of visibility.”

A letter from agent Squire Patton Boggs said the same tenancy restrictions would apply to other visitors as to students.

It said “As a result no adverse impact of additional parking on the amenity of surrounding properties would be experienced.”

A council planning officer recommended the planning committee approve the application when it meets at Oxford Town Hall.

Felicity Byrne said its employment of an on-site warden meant it “would be unreasonable to refuse” over noise and nuisance.

The meeting starts at 6pm and the public can attend.

 

 

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