This is an editorial opinion piece which was recently published in The Oxford Times, sister paper of the Oxford Mail.

The Botley Road of 20 years time will look very different to today. 

On our front page this week, we report residents' views on a huge, six-story lab and office complex planned to be built directly opposite them. 

Speaking of views, that is the main fear about this development. They say the building will be so massive that it will actually block the sunlight from their properties. 

This, in turn, will cost residents more money in heating and be counterproductive when it comes to protecting the planet. 

Those residents with solar panels could also be left with hardly any use for them. 

But change is happening all the time. There are constant plans for new offices, labs and other buildings to improve Oxford's economy and cement it as the best knowledge and technology hub in the country. 

READ MORE: Oxford plans for an electric city but is it too soon?

So are the residents' fears unreasonable?

They offer reasonable solutions. The building in question could be reduced in height to make sure there is no risk of intrusion and overlooking into the residents' windows. 

It could be set back further from the road to reduce its dominance of the street scene. 

One resident described the building's design as 'a whacking great monstrosity.' Could the design be re-worked to make it look more appealing? 

Many people react to planning applications with blind rage and a refusal for any change. But not these residents. 

These residents of Botley Road are not what you would describe as NIMBYs. They are reasonable people, wanting the best for the area where they live. 

These are issues that could be easily rectified by the developer. By October 21, there were just 10 objections to this scheme, but more will come. 

Hopefully they will be as constructive as those already submitted. 

But could that site be put to better use for something else. Social housing springs to mind. 

Oxford City Council recently rubber-stamped the transfer of 350 properties into the council's housing stock at Barton Park, which is great news for people of the housing waiting list. 
But will it be enough?

We often hear about how Oxford is the least affordable place to rent in the UK. So more social housing will always be welcome. 

Councillor Susanna Pressel explained that it would be very unlikely that the site would be used for social housing as it's not owned by the city council. 

Will it be a 'whacking great monstrosity'? Only time will tell.