UPDATE - council agrees to new homes plan for Temple Cowley Pools 

CONTROVERSIAL plans to transform a derelict leisure centre site which shut its doors more than two years ago will be welcomed by councillors tonight.

Proposals to build 48 homes on the former Temple Cowley Pools spot are expected to receive support when they are scrutinised at today's city council meeting.

It comes after campaigners battling to save the site and build their own swimming pool claimed more than 200 people opposed the developer's planning application.

In a report to Oxford City Council's east area planning committee, planning officer Andrew Murdoch said residents' comments did not raise any issues which would force the application to be thrown out.

He added: "The proposed development would make an efficient use of an allocated development site to provide much needed good quality affordable and market housing in a manner that would establish a balanced and mixed community.

"The overall layout, form, and appearance of the development would be appropriate for the site and surrounding area while also safeguarding the amenities of existing and proposed residential properties and providing suitable public open space."

The plans, drawn up by developer Catalyst Housing Limited, would see 13 terrace and semi-detached houses built, along with 35 apartments housed in three blocks.

Proposals would ensure 50 per cent of the homes were affordable housing, with 19 deemed as social rent and five as shared ownership, the report confirmed.

Developers also want to include 48 parking spaces for residents, with three spaces allocated for visitors of adjacent Cowley Library and a further two unallocated spaces.

There would also be spaces for 120 bicycles, as well as open space for residents and the public – including a play area for youngsters and seating.

Jane Alexander, of the Save Temple Cowley Pools campaign group, said she was 'disappointed' re-development of the site was being pushed forward despite its pleas to build a pool and housing on the site itself.

The campaigner said at least 230 people had written to the council rejecting the proposals when Catalyst's planning application was submitted.

Protestors are concerned redevelopment would block emergency vehicle access to fields used by neighbouring St Christopher’s School and believed traffic problems would escalate due to inadequate parking space, Ms Alexander revealed.

She said: "It's disappointing that the city council does not listen to the people. What we want to do is not just for one or two people, but this is for the people of Cowley, the people of Oxford."

The city council agreed to sell the Temple Road site, which was prepared for demolition last year, for £3.5m in December 2014, despite campaigners' long-running fight to keep the centre open.

Councillors are expected to support the development but defer granting planning permission so a legal agreement about affordable housing can be drawn up.