Malcolm Everton praises the co-ordinated effort by Oxford City Homes officers, councillors and a local building firm for the refurbishment of Cardinal House, in Littlemore, and the new build at Lambourn Road, Rose Hill (Oxford Mail ViewPoints, September 30).
I have deliberately left out tenants from his letter as neither tenants nor residents in the area were consulted during the planning stage.
He has been lavish with his praise but I doubt he is aware that the Lambourn Road development has come at a very high price, which the city council cannot be proud of.
He says: “It is heartwarming to be able to see something which brings a smile and a warm feeling of well-being”, describing the Lambourn Road development.
These are words of a self-satisfied nimby ensconced in the comfort zone of Old Marston, who knows little or nothing of the misery it has brought to many who live in the area.
The tenants and residents’ association has long waited for this site to be developed but were disappointed with the plans which were submitted for planning approval.
No consideration had been given to the awkward blind junction at Ashurst Way/ Lambourn Road, now made worse with a three-storey block of flats, which dominates the entrance. It stands out like a sore thumb among all the other two-storey, two-bedroom and three-bedroom houses.
Established building lines and sightlines were ignored, making a nonsense of their (Planning Services) ‘Advisory’ leaflets.
This did not deter the committee giving approval and it came as no surprise to hear that Government funding had been approved.
I wonder whether Malcolm Everton is still smiling after this brief disclosure of events.
Maybe he would welcome a similar development appearing in Mill Lane, Old Marston.
If it still brings a smile to his face and a warm feeling of well-being, I feel Oxford City Homes should oblige.
VIM RODRIGO, Rivermead Road, Rose Hill, Oxford
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