A group of householders has described plans for a six-storey science lab and office block in Oxford's Botley Road as a "whacking great monstrosity" as areas of the city continue to be earmarked for drastic changes. 

Applicant The Mary Street Estate (British Land) recently applied to Oxford City Council for a swathe of new offices and labs on the site of the retail park.

Householders are fearful that, should the plans go ahead, the huge building will block sunlight from their properties for most of the day. 

By Tuesday, October 22, 10 objections had been submitted. 

It comes amid the backdrop of a rise in laboratories and research facilities being built in the county, including in Hythe Bridge Street and the Oxford North development which is being dubbed as "the new innovation district in Oxford". 

This has prompted questions from some businesses over whether the new facilities will be taking up land previously used for hospitality trade and independents in the case of Hythe Bridge Street.  

A group of Botley Road residents came together this week to discuss their concerns about the proposals and whether this so-called "science quarter" is the best use of space on the edge of Oxford. 

READ MORE: Botley Road: Major plans for new offices and labs in Oxford

Botley Road CGI (Image: Oxford City Council) Adrian Rosser from the group said: “There is going to be a reduction in passive solar heating in the winter, so we will have to put our heating on more which will cost more money and it's a carbon problem.

"All of these houses will be impacted very badly. The new building is going to be six-storeys high. When the developer held an exhibition, they said it was going to be four-storeys high.

"What they didn't say was four-storeys and then a plant room and a roof.”

He added: “It will be absolutely awful, the lack of light will have a terrible mental impact on all of us. It will have an economic and a mental impact. Also, we've got bedrooms and they will have offices looking straight in. 

“If they stepped it back 20 or 30 metres and had a wonderful green roof, it would look great, a nice entry to Oxford. When you look at the CGI's, it's just a big, boring building.

“The pretty bit they put on their website, it is actually a courtyard which is in the middle and will be completely shaded by six-storey buildings. 

“There will be 1,500 people at that office each day, will the sewage system be able to cope? 

“It will be a whacking great monstrosity.”

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Botley Road Retail Park (Image: Newsquest) Another objector from the group, Tom Gibson, said: “As bad as the existing building is at the moment, it's only two-storeys. It's not very pretty, but at least they can't see into our bedrooms.

“I'm fine with the idea of putting something better there. If people are going to use it more than a big shopping mess, then I'm fine with it. Also if it removes parking and adds green spaces in.”

Sherin Francis added: “It's a huge structure, it's not in keeping with the character of the area and the neighbourhood itself. I work from home, so imagine having a pneumatic drill next to your house all day. 

“The shading to me is the biggest problem. Imagine if they did this in north Oxford. They wouldn't do it because it wouldn't be in the character of the area. I think we have the right to fight for what we think is a good neighbourhood.”

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Botley Road CGI (Image: Oxford City Council) Osney & St Thomas ward councillor Susanna Pressel also voiced her concerns. She said: “Local residents are surprised at the sudden proliferation of applications for massive life sciences buildings in the Botley Road area. 

“Some people are saying that these sites should be used for housing, and I agree — though unfortunately that is very unlikely, because these are all on private land and the city council can't tell the landowners what to do with their land.

"Some people would prefer to keep the current retail sheds, a few of which are really useful. However, they are clearly not making enough money for the owners, whereas life sciences facilities are badly needed, especially in Oxford.

"This is because of the amazing success of our two universities, which are at the forefront of scientific discoveries, which we hope will make our lives much better in years to come. 

“It's now up to the city council to make sure the new buildings have as few negative impacts as possible on the people who live in the area, both during construction and in the future.

"I hope there will even be benefits. Residents are telling me, for instance, that we badly need more play spaces for the children in the area."

In the applicant's planning statement, it said: “British Land's vision for the site is to enable its sustainable future for employment.

"The vision is to transform the existing retail park into a vibrant new development, contributing to Oxford’s objectives for the comprehensive transformation of the wider Botley Road Retail Park into a new science quarter for the city. 

“The proposed development will be a public realm-led scheme created by a cluster of buildings and high-quality landscaping.

"A dynamic meeting place for growing and established businesses, looking to innovate and collaborate in the heart of the emerging West End.

"The proposed development will be a place to foster scientific inquiry and partnership between occupiers and the wider community.”