Councillors have blasted plans to build a 24-hour bus depot - but residents don't seem too concerned, writes Stephen Deal.

Only four letters of objection have been sent to Cherwell District Council as the authority prepares to consider Stagecoach Oxford's plans.

As well as providing parking for 155 buses, the company wants to use the six-and-a-quarter acre depot on the Langford Locks estate round the clock.

It currently has a much smaller depot in Oxford - but feels that site can no longer cope with the number of vehicles it now has. Cllr Andrew Hornsby-Smith, who represents north-west Kidlington for the district, said: "Local people are really going to suffer up there. It is just too close to residential property."

He added that, although the area has been ear-marked for a business development, the Stagecoach plans would have a serious effect on the area, which is close to both the Oxford Canal and a railway line.

Mr Hornsby-Smith said: "It will destroy that whole canal-side walk."

Kidlington Parish Council has also opposed the plans - but residents have been slow to do the same.

Despite the fact that an estimated 50 properties were sent details of the plans by the district council, just four objected by the time the public consultation period expired.

Bob Duxbury, south area planning officer for the authority, said: "There has been very little reaction." Mr Hornsby-Smith said: "It is strange. I sent an objection letter myself and have written to 100 of the residents who would be most affected by the proposal but I can only assume there is still a lack of awareness."

Trish Redpath, clerk to the parish council, said: "We were concerned about the impact on the neighbourhood, it giving rise to noise nuisance and unrestricted working hours."

David Whitley, marketing manager of Stagecoach, said: "We need a suitable depot full stop. The current depot cannot accommodate what we have got."

Cherwell's planning committee is due to discuss the plans on January 20.

Story date: Wednesday 29 December

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