PREVIOUSLY rejected plans to tear down a derelict nursery in East Oxford and build student flats have been resubmitted by Oxford University.

Oriel College, part of the university, has applied for the third time to demolish Bartlemas Nursery, off Cowley Road, to build a two and half storey student block.

The 1950s 'dilapidated' building has stood empty since 2004 and the owners argue it is no longer viable to reinstate.

But plans have been met with a strong backlash from residents who fear the 'harmful' student development will destroy the 'precious conservation area and its listed buildings'.

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The nursery building currently sits in the Bartlemas Conservation Area set back from Cowley Road, behind Southfield Road.

The plan is to replace the derelict building with a two and a half storey development of 30 student rooms. The building would be split into three blocks including 17 rooms with a communal kitchen and 13 self-contained one or two-bed flats.

The Design and Access statement says: "It is in the interests of both the college and the local community that the site is

brought back into active use and makes a positive contribution to the overall character of the conservation area."

It is the third time plans have been tabled by the university having previously been rejected, and failed at appeal both times.

Oxford University most recently updated design plans last month, although neighbouring residents remain unconvinced.

Among those claiming the plans are barely any different to the original submissions is Southfield Road resident Jennifer Brown said: "Inspection of these documents reveals no major alterations or adjustments have been made to the original 2018 application, which proposes an excessively large and overbearing student accommodation block completely out of scale and environmental context for the relatively small plot of land."

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Ian Carmichael, responding on behalf of police, agreed that little had changed despite 'ample opportunity' and said he was disappointed crime prevention advice had not be taken onboard.

Another resident added: "This large building will dominate the surrounding houses and have a negative impact on the lives of residents, in terms of our homes and gardens being overlooked.

"The increase in noise and light pollution will be an inevitable consequence of the addition of further student accommodation to an area which is already at saturation point."

Resident Anne Hall said: "Issues relating to the development's use, huge size, and large impact have not been addressed in the revised documents; even considering the added information, the verified views and mitigation features still seem inadequate models on which to base a planning application for such a sensitive area adjoining the Bartlemas Conservation Area."

For details go online to search plans 18/02989/FULL on oxford.gov.uk