SEVEN new affordable homes will be built on the site of a former Royal British Legion Club.

The plans to build affordable homes on the site of the derelict club on Edgecombe Road, Barton, were approved by Oxford city councillors on Wednesday night.

The city council's east area planning committee unanimously approved the plan for the new homes, which are being built by Oxford City Housing Ltd, a company wholly-owned by the city council.

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Following the meeting, committee chair Sian Taylor said: "I think it is fortunate that the committee felt this was a good use of a piece of land which has been derelict for a period of time.

"There will be seven new affordable homes built there: that is good news."

Three of the new homes will remain in the ownership of Oxford City Housing, and will be rented out at a genuinely affordable rate.

thisisoxfordshire:

The empty legion club. Picture: Oxford Mail.

The other four homes will be sold through shared ownership schemes.

Plans for the site will see some kind of memorial to the British Legion club incorporated into the new homes.

This could include a poppy etched into the brickwork of one of the homes, an idea which came from opinions given by Barton residents when asked about what should happen to the site.

There were worries expressed in a report to the committee that demolishing the British Legion club would lead to the loss of a community building.

But there were no objections from members of the public when a consultation on the plans was held.

However, Barton residents Chaka Artwell raised his concerns about replacing the club with housing at council meeting late last year, and suggested it could be retained for community use.

thisisoxfordshire:

A design drawing of the new homes. Picture: Oxford City Council.

The report to the committee said council officers were satisfied there were enough community buildings elsewhere in Barton to cover the loss of the club.

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The nearest community building is St Mary's Church, which is next to the British Legion site.

The new homes will include parking spaces, as well as place store bikes and bins.

Demolition of the derelict club will now begin.

Visit the Oxford City Council website and search reference planning 19/02660/FUL for info.