AN OXFORD house left derelict after two people were murdered in an arson eight years ago could finally be demolished.

Red Cottage, in Old Abingdon Road, was already vacant and being used by squatters when it was the site of the murders in January 2007.

Homeless James Cox, who had been sleeping in the house with girlfriend Sian Sanchez, deliberately started a fire on January 2, after fellow squatter Howard Blake turned up there and forced him out.

Ms Sanchez and Mr Blake both died in the blaze.

The following year, Cox, 63, was sentenced to life in prison and told he must serve a minimum of 20 years.

Since then, the house has been boarded up, with ivy and brambles taking over the walls and garden.

Now, the grandchildren of the house’s last owners hope to open a “fresh chapter” in its history.

Neil and Craig Bailey, who live in Oxfordshire, have applied for planning permission to knock down the house and put up a three-storey building of three two-bedroom flats.

Oxfordshire County Council member for South Oxford John Tanner welcomed the news that the site could be redeveloped.

He said: “I would love to see the site properly developed. It is a bit of an eyesore, plus we need every home we can get in Oxford. The sooner it is developed, the better.”

The Baileys have applied to Oxford City Council for permission through their agent, JPPC Chartered Town Planners, in Hinksey Hill.

The firm’s Neil Warner said: “We have been looking at the redevelopment of the site for the last couple of years.

“I believe a planning officer is now hoping to deal with it in the next few weeks.

“We’re hoping to create a nice, new building to replace the one that’s there and open a fresh chapter in its history.”

Oxford historian Liz Woolley, who lives nearby in Marlborough Road, said she would like to find out more about the building’s history before it was demolished.

The house is down the road from a former shop, built by butcher John Revell in the 1930s or 1940s and now also derelict, but little else is known about it.

She said: “It always struck me as an interesting building. The fact that it is side-on to the road is a mystery.

“I would like people to call the Oxford Mail if they have any more information.”

Siegi Dethune, who lives opposite Red Cottage, said she had taken many photographs of the sun rising over it.

She said: “There is something about it.

“It is a bit mystic."