D. Squitchey Lane, Middle Way North and related cross roads
General Overview
This area between the Woodstock and Banbury Roads was built later than the Victorian/Edwardian developments. It is situated north of the traditional Summertown Centre. The houses vary from large to very large mansions, some of which acknowledge the original country origins of Summertown.
Squitchey Lane is perhaps the most significant road in this area. It is wide and straight, and so nowadays acts as a useful link road between the two North Oxford entrance roads. It is also a road of contrasts.
The plots on the North side are very large and indeed the houses near the Banbury Road end are massive. They have enormous front gardens where the parking of two or three cars does not sacrifice the green nature of the road. This is accentuated by some majestic trees in front gardens
On both sides of Squitchey Lane there are Art Deco inspired semi-detached houses with typical curved bay windows.
However, near the middle of the South side, there are rows of more modest terraced houses which try to imitate the splendid Art Deco style of their neighbours but fail to do so.
A special aspect of Squitchey Lane is the development of late 20th century houses infilled in the large back gardens to the North of the original houses.
The Paddox is a development of compact terraced houses build in a slightly alternative style.
Paddox Close contains somewhat larger terraced houses mixed with some bungalows.
These two newer developments are a practical use of ample garden space, and a welcome provision of smaller housing amongst some very large houses.
Capel Close is a ‘mixed bag’ of large free-standing houses, all of different designs. The front gardens are not as generous as in Squitchey Lane and ubiquitous front driveway parking has reduced the green aspect of the road unnecessarily, given that there is very adequate space for on-street parking. However, uncompromised green space still exists at the back of 333 Banbury Road, where D’Overbroecks (an independent school) is building a Sixth Form teaching complex. It is important that a green border between the school and the road is maintained.
Summerhill Road is slightly more modest but still contains large free-standing houses of various styles. Again front drive parking is an issue in some stretches of the road but the overall atmosphere remains very pleasant and open.
The Northern half of Middle Way is entered from Capel Close by way of Summerhill Road.
Middle Way is an eclectic mix of houses from different periods, with no common architectural theme. The Northern half is the more recently-built and the less interesting in architectural terms
On the West side, there is the long rear wall of the elegant Summertown Villa, the front of which faces Woodstock Road but is invisible from Middle Way. Further down is Hyde Place: an ambitious new development of large red and yellow brick houses and an apartment block. However, the pastiche Victorian style is not intricately worked enough to be special.
On the East side, near the top of the road, there are houses resembling West Squitchey Lane’s Art Deco design.
History
This area clearly demonstrates the architectural change that has occurred from the Victorian, more regimented, streets of southern part of Summertown to a more modern and individual architecture.
Issues
– Squitchey Lane’s function as a connecting road needs to be considered
Assets
– An area with a variety of mostly attractive, and some outstanding, houses
– A few very important houses which should be listed e.g. Summertown Villa
– Outstanding front gardens in some streets, adding greatly to the amenity of the area
Guidance for future development
– Since there is already such a variety of architectural styles, this is an area where responsible contemporary designs should be encouraged
– Some of the pastiche infills lack the quality of the original designs. It might have been preferable, instead of imitating traditional styles, to build something radically different, and this should be kept in mind when future developments are considered
– The magnificent trees in Squitchey Lane deserve protection
