WEST Oxford residents have persuaded a developer to pay for flood prevention work instead of public art.

Kingerlee Construction will remove a dip in Lamarsh Road instead of spending the £29,000 on the unspecified artwork.

It had to spend the cash as part of a deal with Oxford City Council to build three new units south of the Botley Road Retail Park.

The flood defence idea was put forward by residents of nearby Duke and Earl Street, who have suffered flooding three times in the last 10 years.

They were backed by Oxford Flood Alliance.

Alliance member Dr Peter Rawcliffe, whose South Hinksey home has been hit by flooding, said: “We’re very excited.

“This has involved a lot of work by a lot of people, not just us, but we have driven it forward.

“A lot of residents and the new businesses will benefit from this.”

Kingerlee’s work will direct water into a flood channel to be installed as part of its new development, taking water into adjoining meadows and the Hinksey Stream.

Jericho and Osney councillor Colin Cook said: “This is a much more worthwhile use of money and I think it will be of an enormous benefit for local residents in the event of a medium level flood.”

Kingerlee Homes planning director David Coates said: “We’re aware of the importance of building in flood alleviation measures in the area. This isn’t the be all and end all, but we have a contribution to make to a potential solution and I think it’s a significant one.”

The developer needs final approval from the Environment Agency and Oxfordshire County Council to go ahead with the scheme.

The firm also has permission to build eight new houses and nine flats on an adjoining site. It is planning to start that development at a later date.

The county council has failed to get £100,000 from the Environment Agency for a 45cm-wide flood pipe in Lamarsh Road. The flood alliance had questioned its benefits.