TEN flats could now be built near the A34 at Botley after developers successfully appealed against a council rejection of similar plans.

Outline proposals for nine flats, opposite the trunk road, were initially thrown out by Vale of White Horse District Council.

This was because of “substandard parking provision” and the fact that future residents would be “exposed to significant levels of noise” from the main road.

But in January this year, the planning inspectorate overturned the council’s decision on appeal, ruling that noise and parking provision would not be an issue.

Now a new application sees an increase in the number of flats for the site, as well as increasing their height, going from three-storeys to four.

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Planning consultants behind the plans, JPPC, acting for developers Westminster Developments Ltd, said neither would have a detrimental impact on the area.

The additional storey they said “would not be detrimental to the character of the area”

Botley Baptist Church sits next door to the proposed flats and Reverend Kalyan Das said the building would be too big.

Kalyan Das said: “We have lodged our concerns about the size of the building – I think in our church’s present state It is inappropriate and out of character with the area – it’s out of scale.”

The church has planning permission for its own redevelopment, but plans are temporarily on hold.

Vale councillor for North Hinksey Debby Hallett said her initial concerns over parking had not abated, but her main concern was more people moving into a polluted area.

Botley was declared an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) in 2008, which covers properties in close proximity to the A34 trunk road on Southern Bypass Road, Stanley Close and Westminster Way.

The AQMA was declared after an assessment of air quality, which found levels of nitrogen dioxide in the air to be above the government’s national standards.

She said: “The thing I’m really worried about is they are building developments in a well-known area of pollution - I don’t think more people should be moving thereIn general, I think we are missing out on protecting both current and future residents from the effects of living in an AQMA, by not restricting development where there are demonstrable levels of pollution that exceed EU standards. Botley has that.”

A block of nine flats, which were approved in 2011, sits next to the site.

The planning inspectorate when upholding the appeal, said noise mitigation measures used for those flats could be used for the newly proposed development.

The new flats would share outdoor amenities with the neighbouring development and will also include a covered bike store.

Residents have until April 17 to comment on the proposed plans at , which they can do by visiting whitehorsedc.gov.uk.

A decision is expected to be reached by the end of June.