THE centre of Rose Hill could be transformed under proposals to build new homes in The Oval.

If the plans go ahead, the existing community centre could be replaced with houses or flats after the new community centre in Ashhurst Way opens in January.

People cast their eyes over the proposals when they were put on display at the current community centre. Plans are for 24 homes, a mix of one-, two- and three-bed flats, half of which would be classed as affordable.

Desborough Crescent resident Margaret Smith said she was pleased Oxford City Council wanted to develop the site.

The 80-year-old said: “It would be a big improvement. The area needs more houses and flats, that is what people are always asking for.

“The area will look better when the community centre is knocked down. The centre is looking very down in the dumps.

“Hopefully the new homes would encourage more families into the area.

“The estate keeps improving compared to what it used to be – I always say if my mum and dad ever came back they would be lost.”

The city council hopes to submit an outline application, which would establish the principle of development on the site, later this month.

If that is approved later this year or in early 2016, a developer will have the chance to buy the land and submit full plans for housing.

Thames View Road resident Peter Wilkinson attended the Tuesday meeting to view the outline plans.

He said: “I was generally very pleased with what they are proposing. I was very anxious that even with the community centre gone the site will be the face of the estate.

“I would like the homes which go there to look reasonable even as years go by.

“It will spruce The Oval up a bit too and there is an oak tree on the corner with Lenthall Road which is being kept.

“One worrying thing is that the more houses we get on the estate the more problems we will have with traffic at the bottom of Ashhurst Way.”

The new £4m centre in Ashhurst Way is nearing completion and bookings are already being accepted for community events, meetings, wedding receptions and parties.

Rose Hill and Iffley city councillor Michele Paule said people were pleased with the plans for homes, despite some sentimentality for the existing centre.

She said: “People are really pleased with it and they think it is going to look attractive.

“There is a lot of emotional attachment to the old community centre but there is also an acknowledgement that it is time for something new.

“There is a feeling that the estate is on the up and there is a regeneration of the community as well.”

City council major projects and development officer Nick Twigg, said: “After the new Rose Hill Community Centre opens we want to release the current community centre site for much-needed housing.

“The outline planning application will propose a mix of 24 one-, two- and three-bedroom flats, 50 per cent of which will be affordable. Tuesday’s information session was the first stage of this process and was about letting the community in Rose Hill know what our plans are, ahead of a formal submission of the application.”