CONTROVERSIAL plans to demolish a derelict house in Old Headington will be considered by a planning inspector today.

Oxford City Council refused developer Martin Young permission to knock down 29 Old High Street and replace it with five three-storey houses but he appealed against the decision to the Government’s Planning Inspectorate. Today’s hearing at theTown Hall in St Aldate’s starts at 10am. Old Headington residents oppose the plan, as they feel it would harm the conservation area.

Mr Young, who lives in Headington Hill, has caused controversy by seeking planning permission for his own rubbish dump in Littlemore and plans to stand as an independent candidate to become Thames Valley’s police commissioner.

Comments have already been submitted but the hearing is open to the public and members of the public may give their views with the agreement of the inspector.

Mr Young has since applied simply to refurbish the house, but has not withdrawn the appeal, as he says he wants to keep his options open.