Residents' horror at 'monster' block

From the archive, first published Friday 30th Mar 2001.

Householders claim their homes will lose light and privacy after being dwarfed by a "monstrosity" of a building.

Neighbours in Wilberforce Street, Headington, Oxford, are stunned by the 15m-high research block being constructed at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre at the end of their back gardens.

They had not been worried by plans for a two-storey building behind their houses initially, but were shocked when contractors started assembling the frame a week ago.

Sheila Wilkins, 51, whose parents bought her house in 1953, said: "It's a total monstrosity and disgusting that we were never made aware of how high it would actually be. I think we've been led along by planners and managers at the NOC and now it's too late.

"It's less than 3m from the garden fence, but we were told it would be nearly 15m away. We all enjoy barbecues in the summer but that won't be any fun now."

Jean Wright, NOC site development project manager, said she had every sympathy with the residents.

She added: "We've double-checked the building is being built in the place that it was meant to be in during the planning stages.

"The problem is that people have seen the metal frame and that has raised concerns. We are now having drawings done so our neighbours can see the extensive landscaping that will be done after the research block has been finished."