A PROPOSED new sports pavilion in Barton is set to be built after councillors voted through the development at a council meeting this week.

At an East Area Planning Committee meeting held at Oxford’s Town Hall on Wednesday, there was a unanimous vote to approve the project brought forward by city council backed group Barton Oxford LLP.

It is the long-awaited replacement of the former Barton Pavilion which had become run down and was demolished after more than 40 years in 2011.

Speaking at the meeting, councillor Alex Hollingsworth said: “I have to say I am delighted to see the replacement of the existing facilities that have been inadequate for a while.

“I think this looks like an excellent addition to the facilities and for the residents of Barton and I heartily recommend it.”

There were questions raised before a vote was taken, however, over a lack of disabled access for the new sports facilities.

Answering questions from councillors, marketer for the project Stuart Hide said while none where included at this stage the council could apply later to add them.

He said: “There is no requirement for these facilities.

“Whether or not the applicant looks to provide disabled access, it is not part of this scheme.”

Councillor Hollingsworth said: “If the council wants to do something like that it should do it through another process other than the planning process.”

Speaking after the meeting Barton councillor Van Coulter praised the decision to approve the project and welcomed the new facilities.

He said: “I think it is an exemplary building, it is much superior to the last pavilion.

“And of course the one before that was ramshackle huts.

“It has been very well thought out and it will be an excellent community facility as well as bringing the benefits you would expect from a new sports facility.”

Answering the concerns raised at the meeting over disabled access he said: “From the point of view of the requirements from the council we wanted a like for like from what was there before.

“It was not for a speciality facility for disabled people, that is something quite different.”

Now that plans have secured approval the pavilion will be built on land next to the old Barton recreation ground, the home of the Phoenix Sports Association, which is made up of Headington Amateurs FC and Barton United FC.

The new single-storey building will feature a kitchen, bar, function room, viewing terrace and changing rooms and the project has been designed by David Morley Architects.

The new sports facilities are part of a wider 885-housing development, a new primary school and a shopping square on land east of Barton.