PLANS for new sheltered housing near a historic lane in Wallingford are overbearing and do not provide enough parking, neighbours have said.

Housing association Soha has put forward a planning application to demolish 28 flats at St Alban’s Court and replace it with 17 two-bed and six one-bed flats for over-55s.

Residents say they are not opposed to the site being used for sheltered housing but do not think the design of the new building is suitable for the conservation area.

Retired English Heritage inspector Sue Hendrie, of Church Lane has lived opposite for 20 years and has formally objected to the application made to South Oxfordshire District Council.

She said: “Our main concern is that after we had a consultation with the architects they did not take enough notice of what we said regarding the height of the roof of the new building or the lack of parking.

“The design of the new building is not coherent and needs to be improved – it will overshadow our homes.

“We want sheltered housing there but the design is a dog’s dinner of different features.”

Another resident questioned whether six parking spaces – down from 11 at present – would be enough, as there is already a lack of parking in the town.

Wallingford mayor Lynda Atkins has also said there should be one parking space per flat.

In her formal objection Ms Hendrie wrote: “Despite requests for the roofline to be lowered on the central bays the proposal remains for it to be one metre higher.

“This may not seem a great increase but given the closeness of the buildings it is highly significant.”

Ms Hendrie added that the proposed design for at least one block “in no way enhances the conservation area”.

Town councillor Adrian Lloyd said: “I am not opposed to the development in principle.

“However I will look carefully at issues such as the overall appearance, the impact on the conservation area, the impact on parking, and the impact on nearby residents.

“We will have to balance the need for sheltered accommodation with the concerns of nearby residents.”

Neighbours can comment on the plans online at southoxon.gov.uk using reference number P16/S0198/FUL.