After years of delay the application to develop the Ashton House site in Village Rd has finally been approved. The original house was constructed in the first half of the 19th century, and was since used as a hospital for many years. Permission has been granted to convert Ashton House into 11 flats and to build 5 new detached houses. We recognise the efforts that the architects, Ainsley Gommon, have had to make in order to secure planning approval for their original design concept. Their site plan, shown above, appears with their kind permission.
The Oxton Society generally supported the proposed scheme provided that Ashton House was preserved as a key landmark at the entrance of the village. We also worked to ensure that the surrounding sandstone wall and the mature trees were protected too. We joined forces with our local councillors to press our concerns. We are delighted to report that the approval retains most of the mature trees and looks after the long-term future of the wall. The entrance will be from Columbia Road, with parking provision on site. The smaller Thorn Heys unit at the top of Columbia Road is also disused, but currently still owned by the NHS Trust and is not part of the scheme.
We look forward to seeing this welcome investment in the fabric of Oxton whilst preserving the essential features of the Conservation area.