A town council is concerned that plans to convert part of a listed building into flats will bring about a “nuisance to neighbours and potential highways issues,” along with archaeological concerns.

Lloyds Bank House in Ock Street, Abingdon, is the subject of a planning application which would see the modern extension to the rear of the building, demolished, and eight new flats constructed.

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The proposal would also include secure bicycle parking and recycling and refuse storage provision, along with a reduction in size of the current commercial unit into a smaller unit along the ground floor front on Ock Street.

Abingdon Town Council has objected to the plans, stating they would go against Vale of White Horse District Council’s local plan.

A spokesperson for the town council said: “The town council objects to this application as it would represent overdevelopment of the site.

“The town council notes the district council has expressed concerns over possible nuisance to neighbours.

“There are also potential highways issues over deliveries to the site. Fewer flats would reduce problems which have been identified.

“The proposed additional second storey would negatively impact neighbouring properties.”

A nearby householder, living in Neave Mews, who commented on the application online, said: “I’m extremely concerned about the size and proximity of this proposed structure overlooking and looming over our property.”

An archaeology report from Oxfordshire County Council has also raised some potential concerns should the application go ahead.

It stated: “The site is identified to occupy an area of archaeological interest and potential as identified by the archaeological desk-based assessment and heritage statement undertaken by AB Heritage in June, that has now been submitted with this application.

“This assessment concludes that a potential for archaeological remains dating from the prehistoric to post medieval period may be present on the application site.

“Previous development as recorded on the site is however likely to have resulted in some prior truncation of any surviving below ground archaeological remains and as such may therefore limit their potential presence and significance.”

The report also said should planning permission be granted, a ‘watching brief’ will need to take place during construction, and no development should commence on the site without an appointed archaeologist being present.

In addition, the environmental protection team from the district council raised some concerns, which said: “The close proximity to neighbouring properties gives rise to potential nuisance issues for their occupiers should this application be granted.

The team has recommended that the developer takes appropriate steps to ensure noise, and dust, that may emanate from the site, is controlled.

 

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This story was written by Matthew Norman, he joined the team in 2022 as a Facebook community reporter.

Matthew covers Bicester and focuses on finding stories from diverse communities.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Matthew.norman@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @OxMailMattN1