A MAN who was refused planning permission to build flats above a bank in Headington is appealing against the decision.

Simon Ryde, of Bradford Securities, was told he could not build an extra floor onto the top of Barclays Bank in Headington, at the cross section of London Road and Old High Street.

The extra floor would have been used as three self-contained flats, built in a modern, wood panelled style.

Mr Ryde also had plans for bin and cycle storage, as well as a new staircase for the flats which would have been built to the rear of the building.

But Oxford City Council refused permission for the plans on December 27 last year.

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Local history group Headington Heritage had objected to the plans based on their design, as it was not in keeping with the existing late-Victorian or early 20th century style.

And the city council's planning chiefs agreed the new extension would not be in keeping with other buildings in the local area.

The council also said that the scale of the plans, as wells as a new balcony to the north of the building, were not acceptable.

A planning appeal process will now begin with an exchange of legal letters between the city council and Mr Ryde, overseen by the government's planning inspectorate.

For more information about the planning application, visit Oxford City Council's website and search for planning reference 19/02853/FUL.