Banbury street sells for guide price

The 0.98 acre plot on Nursery Drive extends from, but doesn't include, Vineyard Close up to the sharp bend where it becomes Ruscote Avenue. It also includes Garden Close and part of the 'highway, paths and verges'.

It was sold by Charles Darrow Auctioneers for the guide price of £2,000 to an unknown buyer.

When the sale of the land was discovered by residents it naturally led to concern and some confusion as reported by the Banbury Guardian last week.

Before the auction a caveat had been placed on the description of the plot stating "We are advised by the local authority highways department the title comprises land that is publicly adopted, buyers should make their own enquiries in this regard."

It is believed the addendum refers to the small area of 'no mans land' that residents drive on to get to their garages and was a major concern before the sale.

Dave Middleton, a Nursery Drive resident for the past 22 years, said: "Our main concern was that where you drive around to the garages there is a piece of 'no mans' land, nobody owns it an it is the access to our garages.

"If someone buys that who is responsible?"

The sale of such, seemingly useless, small plots is a growing trend with Paul Heather, of Charles Darrow Auctioneers, stating that many are bought by developers and placed in the 'bottom drawer' as nothing more than a speculative investment.