CONTROVERSIAL plans for a housing development on a disused Cowley park, which have already been blocked, are again set for refusal.

Oxford City Council officers have urged councillors to reject plans by Cantay Estates for 45 new dwellings in five blocks of flats at the Morris Motors playing fields, off William Morris Close.

The proposal, which would include 79 car parking spaces comes a year after smaller-scale plans by the same landowner were thrown out by councillors.

Outlining its objection ahead of an East Area Planning Committee meeting this Wednesday, council officers said in a report: “The site is protected open space, including associated car parking.

“It is not allocated for housing development nor is it needed to meet National Planning Policy Framework housing land availability requirements.

“It is not essential that the need for housing development should be met on this particular site, and there are no other balancing reasons or mitigating circumstances why housing should be allowed."

Sixty-nine letters of objection were sent to the city council by nearby residents ahead of the committee meeting.

Among the objections was Turner Close resident Christopher Iles who said: “This site is identified on the Local Plan as a protected open space and should remain so.

“The proposed replacement recreation facilities are inadequate and do not compensate for the loss of the current open-air sport opportunities.”

Another objector, Colin Woodley from Hollow Way, said: “My property backs on to the Morris Motors playing fields.

“My biggest problem is privacy. The dwellings would look straight into my property, and all the extra traffic.”

William Morris Close resident Svetlana Baker said: “The likely increase in traffic that this development would cause would raise the risk of accident to children and their parents taking their children to Tyndale Community School.

“This development would take over the open existing space and deprive local residents, families and children, who could enjoy this possible facility.”

Other letters detailed objections over ‘intolerable traffic and parking problems’ and increased noise and pollution for residents.

Arguing for the development, planners JPPC said on behalf of the landlord: “The site has no public access, it is degraded and detracts from the character of the area.

“The proposal offers publicly accessible open space for recreation which can also accommodate junior pitches if desired, and will be landscaped to enhance the area.

“In addition, £450,000 is offered towards leisure facilities elsewhere in the city.

“These proposals are better than have been achieved when other open spaces in the city have been developed.

“Delivery of housing in Oxford has fallen below the core strategy target and continues to fall.

"This site is available and can deliver the mix of market and affordable housing required by adopted policy.”

The application will be determined by councillors at Wednesday's East Area Planning Committee meeting at Oxford’s Town Hall.