RESIDENTS and council officers have objected to plans for a care unit in Kidlington.

Bedfordshire Pilgrims Housing Association Limited (BPHA) and the Order of St John Care Trust want to build the 54-bed extra care unit on the site of the demolished Thornbury House Children’s Home at The Moors.

Cherwell District Council will make the decision, but has received a formal objection from Oxfordshire County Council and a 98-signature petition from residents.

County highways officer Geoffrey Arnold said: “The submission does not include a detailed plan of the access, and the submitted block plan and topographical survey are contradictory with regard to the width of the access road.

“The survey shows the access road is considerably narrower than that demonstrated by the block plan, and furthermore, assuming the dimensions of the survey to be correct, two cars would not be able pass within only a few metres of the junction with The Moors.

“Therefore, I consider the application for planning permission should be refused as the proposed development would result in excessive reversing and manoeuvring along the access road and on the adjacent highway to the detriment of the safety and convenience of highway users.”

The petition was submitted by residents arguing the development would be inappropriate in terms of size and scale.

Extra care units allow residents to remain independent, while also providing support for their care needs.

BPHA, which had already reduced the height of the building, has now agreed to further amend its plans so it is set across two storeys, not three.

Spokesman Bianca Mulligan said: “As a result of various communications from local residents, directly to both us and Cherwell District Council’s planners, we are going to amend our designs to reduce the storey height on the part of the development adjoining Lambs Close to two storeys.

“The revised drawings will be produced and submitted to the planning authority in the second week of May and these will be available during a subsequent three-week consultation period.”

Lambs Close resident John Lowe, 66, cautiously welcomed the changes.

He said: “I welcome the fact they are changing the design but I would have to see more detail about it before I form an opinion.

“I think if they are willing to enter into some meaningful consultation with residents we could reach a situation which would be acceptable.

“But if the access road is deemed to be unacceptable by highways officers I don’t see how Cherwell can approve the plans.”

Cherwell’s planning committee was due to make a decision on May 16, but it is understood this will now be deferred while residents have their say on the amended plans.

Cherwell district councillor for Kidlington, Alaric Rose, said attendance at a recent residents’ meeting had shown the amount of concern about the development in the area.

He said: “It felt like there were at least 100 people there and there wasn’t a single person who spoke out in favour.”

The plans are available to view at cherwell.gov.uk