A multi-million development of luxury houses and flats could be built on the site of a derelict factory.

Abingdon-based Berkeley Homes plans to build 52 houses and 69 flats on six acres of land at the former Oxford Automotive Components site, in north Oxford. The development, on the western side of the Oxford Canal beside Port Meadow, would involve building a new bridge to link it with Frenchay Road.

The plans also include a 163-space car park, a new watercourse and a new public open space. Andrew Saunders-Davies, managing director of Berkeley Homes (Oxford), said: "This is going to be a high-quality, upmarket development. "We have tried to introduce a wide mix of houses and flats to address various sections of the market place."

The site has outline permission for housing. Car component firm Unipart has a factory on the eastern side of the Oxford canal but it is due to close within two years and is expected to be sold for housing.

Residents have raised concerns about over-development of the area. Dr Lawrence Middleton, chairman of the North Oxford Defence Association, said: "We will not resist the building of houses on this land, but we do have serious reservations about what is being put in.

"There will be enormous three or four-storey apartment blocks right up against the canal towpath, which is used by hundreds of people."

Wolvercote councillor John Goddard said: "I think the things that will concern people are the blocks of flats."

Story date: Friday 09 April

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