A SIX-storey block of flats will be built on the site of an old homeless shelter in Oxford.

The derelict site once occupied by Lucy Faithfull House will be built up into a block of 36 flats which will be six storeys tall at its highest, facing Speedwell Street.

Two other parts of the building will consist of a five-storey block and a four storey block.

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Oxford City Council's West Area Planning Committee approved the scheme at its meeting on Tuesday.

The building, which will be owned by Oxford City Council's wholly-owned housing company, Oxford City Housing Limited, will be made up of 50 per cent affordable housing.

Out of these, 15 flats will be socially rented, and three will be for sale.

Lib Dem councillor Mike Gotch said the key issue for the site was that it promised affordable homes in the city centre.

Oxford Mail:

The vacant Lucy Faithfull House before it was demolished in 2018.

All of the affordable flats will be to the west of the site, where it borders Faulkner Street, in the four-storey and five-storey blocks.

Alan Wild, housing development manager for the city council, said the new block of flats would be a 'significant scheme' for OHL, which would provide 'meaningful. high quality accommodation in the area'.

Planning officer Michael Kemp outlined the work which had been done on the height of the building.

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Mr Kemp said that though it was above the 'Carfax Datum', a height limit to protect views of the historic centre of Oxford, the building would not obscure views of the city.

The new flats would be a car-free development, though there would be two disabled parking spaces on site.

Lucy Faithfull House was knocked down in 2018 after the council was given permission to do so.

Lucy Faithfull, later Baroness Faithfull, was a social worker and campaigner for children's rights who worked for Oxford City Council's social care department.

Planning reference 19/03106/FUL