JERICHO residents have welcomed news that work will soon be starting to redevelop a boarded-up “eyesore”.

Former sheltered housing block Grantham House, in Cranham Street, has been vacant since 2007 when Oxford City Council rehoused its 20 elderly residents and sold the site off for £2.75m.

Since then it has been boarded up, but earlier this year a developer was given planning permission to turn the block into new homes.

The scheme will involve turning the building into seven flats and two houses. It would also involve building a third floor with roof gardens.

The plan has been designed to fit in with the Jericho conservation area and the building’s multi-coloured frontage has been inspired by homes in Observatory Street and Allam Street.

Plans have been in the pipeline since November 2011 but were delayed because a city council committee couldn’t decide whether to demand a financial contribution to the community – known as Section 106 money.

The city council gave the scheme the go-ahead in June but members of the local community have been eager to see work start.

Paul Hornby, who is vice-chairman of Jericho Community Association, said: “At the moment it is boarded up and derelict and various people have been camping there.

“We would have preferred for the building to stay in community use but it is better to have it developed than not.

“The gardens haven’t been maintained and it is turning into an eyesore.”
Cranham Street resident Susan Gillingham said: “I am pleased the boarded-up building will be coming down.

“It will be good to see the whole street lived in again but the jury is out at this stage on this development.

“The eyesore is dreadful but once a developer comes and puts something there, it is there for good.”

Property entrepreneur Johnny Sandleson, who is behind the scheme, said: “We are looking to get on site in the first quarter of next year.

“We have been working with the local authority to make sure we have the best possible scheme for the community. We are also working with the best quality architects.

“There is lots of demand for housing in Oxford and we want to make sure we have the right mix.”

In the meantime, Mr Sandleson said, a hoarding would be put up around the site before Christmas to screen the boarded-up building off.