Plans for nine new flats have been lodged to replace a car dealership on a major Oxford road. 

A planning application has been submitted to replace S.D. Timmo Car Sales, in Abingdon Road, with the new two-storey building.

The applicant, Mark Avery, said in the planning documents that the scheme would "set a high standard for future development in the vicinity".

It is an outline planning application for the demolition of the existing car dealership, workshop and two flats, to replace them with the new building.

The scheme also includes car parking, bin and cycle storage as well as alterations to landscaping.

READ MORE: Nine homes planned for Oxfordshire village despite concerns

Car dealership in Abingdon Road (Image: Oxford City Council) No comments have been submitted by members of the public in support or objection so far. 

In the planning statement, it said: “The proposed site is located on the corner of the Abingdon Road and the Northampton Road in south Oxford.

"The site is situated in the centre of a predominantly residential area and is near to frequent public transport services and to a local super-market. 

“The design team has considered whether it would be possible to adapt/retrofit of the existing buildings.

"It was determined that it is not possible in this situation, as it is necessary for the ground floor level of the building to be raised to mitigate the risk of flooding to the ground floor of the new residential units.”

It added: “We consider the redevelopment of 300 Abingdon Road as an excellent opportunity to provide high-quality contemporary architecture on a key arterial route into Oxford. The new buildings on this site can set a high standard for future development in the vicinity. 

“The proposed redevelopment of the site offers many opportunities including to provide nine low energy dwellings and help Oxford meet its housing need and to re-purpose the site to a use more suitable for a predominantly residential area.

"It is also aimed to enhance ecology and biodiversity on the site, to improve the appearance of the street-scene on a key route into Oxford and to use an existing brownfield site in highly sustainable location more efficiently. 

“The carefully considered design and layout will enhance the amenity of the neighbouring properties by increasing the rear garden size of number 294 and 296 and by improving the outlook from the front and the rear of those properties by replacing much of the existing hard-standing with landscaped areas.

“The proposal to replace the existing utilitarian car showroom and workshop buildings with a bespoke development of nine flats will enhance the character and appearance of this stretch of Abingdon Road and provide nine much-needed small dwellings.”

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About the author  

Toby is a senior reporter who has a particular interest in covering planning and local government. 

He joined in September 2024 having been a reporter at the Hampshire Chronicle for three years. 

Toby studied at the University of Brighton and can be found on X through the handle @JournoToby