A CONTROVERSIAL 140-home development in Littlemore looks set to go ahead after developers made changes designed to make it less isolated from the rest of the area.

Littlemore Parish Council and some residents had expressed concerns the proposed homes near Heyford Hill Sainsbury's, by the A4074, would be isolated due to a lack of pedestrian access.

But planning officers at Oxford City Council have now recommended the east area planning committee approves the outline planning application at a meeting tonight after developer Vanderbilt Homes altered the plans.

A central open space in the development has been increased in size to create a bigger village green and focal point and the flats beside the entrance have been repositioned to create a better gateway to the development.

The plans also have provision for a pedestrian and cycle link to be built across the railway line into the rest of Littlemore.

Parish councillor David Henwood said he was pleased with the changes.

He said: "We are still trying to work with Vanderbilt so that access could perhaps be provided through Morrell Crescent if a full application is put forward.

"As this is an outline planning application all the developer is required to do is put a red line on a map around the area where the development would take place.

"Vanderbilt has gone into the detail.

"In a very broad context there are no real objections, it provides a much needed housing boost for the area."

The parish council had also expressed concerns about the impact the new homes would have on infrastructure when coupled with proposals for homes in Armstrong Road.

Mr Henwood said he hoped this would be addressed in the future.

He said: "This would take the number of new dwellings in Littlemore to near 400.

"The city council states when it gets above that level we must have a new primary school.

"The current primary school, John Henry Newman Academy, is at capacity so if this does get approved it is important that we look at primary school provision.

"I would like to flag it up to officers now."

The development would be split up into 18 one-bed properties, 38 two-bed properties, 62 three-bed homes and 22 four-bedroom houses.

As with other developments in Oxford, half of the properties would be affordable.

In his report, planning officer Andrew Murdoch said planners were happy with the proposals.

He said: "Having reviewed the amended site layout officers support the changes and consider that it has resulted in a more coherent sense of place for the development.

"The layout has also made good provisions for future links to be developed to the rest of Littlemore."

If the outline application is passed tonight a full application with more details can be submitted at a later date.