PROPOSALS to allow more tall buildings to be built in Oxford in an attempt to help solve the housing crisis have been backed by the city's civic society group.

Earlier this year Oxford City Council revealed that it was planning to scrap blanket height restrictions and favour developments that use space most efficiently, as part of its draft local plan which governs new developments up to 2036.

Now the head of Oxford Civic Society has lent his support to higher rise homes, saying that four and five story buildings could become common in Oxford with even higher buildings possible 'in the right context.'

Ian Green, who became the chairman of the Civic Society in July, said that the organisation was in 'no doubt' higher density is necessary, when it prepared its response to the local plan.

Mr Green said: "We have some very special circumstances in Oxford including the highest proportion of younger people as a proportion of residents and a lot of older people as well who are looking to downsize.

"We need to provide the sort of housing to suit the profile of the city.

"Developers will often build family homes because that is most profitable but we need smaller units, which lends itself to higher rise."

Oxford currently has very low density housing, with an average of 60 or 70 homes per hectare and developers are restricted from erecting buildings higher than the Carfax Tower.

So-called 'view cones' dictate where tall properties can't be built because they would disrupt the views of the city's dreaming spires from certain locations – for example Boars Hill.

Mr Green said that he had sympathy with those who object to higher buildings going up next door to where they live, but believes it is possible to design buildings in a way that will benefit the city as a whole.

He said: "There will be an uncomfortable process when we have the first ones through because they are not going to fit within the environment but we have to take the long view.

"A lot will depend on the quality of the designs of the buildings. Everybody is going to be watching that closely."

The city council's proposal would see taller buildings in areas such as Cowley, rather than in the city centre.

Tim Lund, who founded the 'Oxford YIMBYS' group to counter the 'not in my back yard' mentality towards new developments, said that higher density living can bring other benefits.

Mr Lund said: "The alternative is building more on the green belt.

"Although in some areas that might not be a bad thing, I do care for the countryside around Oxford.

"When you have people living way out on the green belt they have to drive everywhere.

"People have a much healthier lifestyle living in a city centre when it is easier to get about by walking.

"Barcelona is almost entirely four or five story buildings and it is a great place to live."

The city council's consultation on the local plan ended on the 25 August and it is now reviewing all the comments received before publishing a further draft later this year.