It’s a prime spot (but you can’t build on it) (From The Oxford Times)

It’s a prime spot (but you can’t build on it)

7:00am Tuesday 12th February 2013 in News By Damian Fantato, covering Summertown, Jericho and North Oxford. Call me on 01865 425429

Nuffield Road resident Pete Bonney at the disused playground

IF YOU have £5,000 going spare and don’t know what to do with it then why not buy a disused playground?

But the catch is that the owner of the plot of land in Wood Farm, which Oxford City Council is selling off, will not be able to develop it.

The city council is offloading the former children’s playground off Masons Road, saying it can be of no further use.

But residents are struggling to understand what could be done with the 460sqm plot because a covenant will bar development on it.

Nuffield Road resident Pete Bonney said: “It could be used as something for the community but you have got to go between two houses to get there. It is surrounded by houses so there will definitely be a limit to what you can do with it. There is definitely potential there but what for I couldn’t suggest.

“I’m glad the city council is selling it because it must have been costing them to keep it.”

Mr Bonney said the site had not been a functioning play area for at least 10 years.

Estate agent Martin Conway, who is dealing with the sale, said it was an unusual piece of real estate. He said: “We certainly don’t sell disused playgrounds on a daily basis. “It is fairly unusual. It is what it is really, which is a small piece of land which may appeal to a lot of people but it is not a development opportunity.”

Mr Conway said the site was currently under offer but would not reveal who the prospective buyer was or what they were intending to do with it.

The city council has suggested the buyer get in touch with its planning department to discuss ideas for the site.

It has also agreed to sell off some of the buildings it owns near Bury Knowle Park in Headington and Harcourt House in Marston Road in recent months.