People are urging Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott to stall plans for hundreds of new houses near their homes.

Residents of Bainton Road, north Oxford, say more thought is needed before building is allowed on the Unipart factory site, off Woodstock Road.

They claim the 16-acre site is being developed piecemeal - and have written to Mr Prescott urging him to scrutinise the plans more closely.

John Bullock, chairman of Bainton Road Residents, said: "We are not against development, but this whole area is being built upon bit by bit. It is crazy.

Berkeley Homes plans to build for 52 houses and 69 flatson the western side of the site, beside the Oxford Canal.

The firm also recently bought the eastern side for an estimated £18m. Another 65 houses and flats were given the go-ahead last month.

City planning committee chairman Maureen Christian said: "There is nothing I would like to do more that ensure that a site is developed all at one go, but under current legislation we have got to respond to planning applications within eight weeks."

A 'community planning' exercise to draw up ideas for the area was being launched at Freud's, Walton Street, tonight at 7pm.

Story date: Tuesday 11 May

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