A PLAN to replace a traditional family home with two “cubist” properties is dividing residents in Abingdon.

Councillors will tomorrow be urged to back the plan for 65 Oxford Road, built in 1932.

But Abingdon Town Council has branded the five-bedroom properties “hideous” while some residents say they are out of keeping with the area.

And there is further concern as the plan can be approved despite a new law change to stop “garden grabbing”.

The town council said: “The town council feel that as this proposed development is so close to a conservation area that it is out of keeping and of inappropriate design for the area.

“Members felt this was a hideous proposal in such a beautiful part of the town.”

In 2007 a plan for 13 flats on the site was refused and then thrown out after an appeal.

Michael Matthews, 77, who sold the house to the developers three years ago, said: “It is a big site and there is a demand for property, and it prevents the town from spreading out in to the Green Belt.

“I had a stream of developers saying: ‘you do know how valuable your site is?, and I eventually caved in.”

But another resident, who did not want to be named, said:“The design is awful. These sort of houses are fine if there are a number of them together, but not on a road like this.”

Another said: “It is garden grabbing and it is spoiling the character of Abingdon.”

Rob Innes, of Culham Close, said: “If it were approved, it would have significant adverse impact on the privacy of properties in Culham Close.”

The plan will be put to Vale of White Horse District Council’s development control committee tomorrow night for a decision.

A council officer is recommending members approve the scheme.

A report said: “While the proposal is clearly different to more traditional housing found within the locality, its design concept is not harmful to the character and appearance of the locality.”

And it says the plan can override recent moves to change “garden grabbing laws”.

The coalition Government has removed garden land from the definition of previously developed land.

But the district council said another policy that backs housing in built-up parts of the town still applies.

Town mayor and town council member Duncan Brown said: “Sadly there is a lot of money in it so people are going to try it.

“But if we knock down all our family houses with large gardens we will end up with just flats. There is a need for flats but there is also a need for big family homes with big gardens.”

Tony Legge, of the Friends of Abingdon conservation group, said: “We urge the council to give more thought to the impact on the developments on the environment of the area.”

Anderson Orr Partnership, agents for developer Cranbourne Holdings Ltd, said the design was “sensitive” to the location and “will preserve the character of the area”.

The committee meets at the town’s Guildhall at 6.30pm. The public are welcome to attend.