HE MIGHT be famous for hosting Channel 4’s Grand Designs, but Kevin McCloud’s designs for six luxury homes in Oxford have been shrugged aside by a parish council.

Cumnor Parish Council objected his company HAB Housing’s plans to build the “eco-friendly” homes in Cumnor Hill.

The plans, for land between 79 Cumnor Hill and 1 Delamare Way, were submitted to Vale of White Horse District Council.

The parish council objected to the “unusual, even innovative features” of a first-floor terrace or winter garden above the garages of the six eco-homes.

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The objection said: “Such an arrangement of terraces/winter gardens might be ideal in an isolated villa in the Mediterranean, for example, but if allowed in suburban Oxford would be a recipe for neighbour disputes.”

According to HAB Housing, the landscape design features a sustainable urban drainage system which will store and re-use surface water.

Communications director Simon McWhirter said: “We presented to the parish council during the process and had a very constructive discussion with them at the time.”

Work began on another of Mr McCloud’s company’s schemes in September following months of delays due to planning issues and problems over building costs.

Planning permission to build 40 flats and community rooms on the site of the former Cowley Community Centre in Barns Road was initially refused by Oxford City Council last year before being “called in” and subsequently approved.

The Grand Designs presenter’s company also gained planning permission for 21 flats at Westlands Drive in Northway and 47 houses in Maltfield Road also in Northway.

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