PLANS by a private school in North Oxford to build a three-storey music school have led to concerns by residents in surrounding roads.

The Dragon School has set out proposals which could mean the demolition of the school’s Lane House building, thought to date from the 1920s.

It has already held a meeting with residents of Park Town and Norham Road about the proposals and further consultation is planned.

But with a planning application still some way off, residents have raised concerns with North Oxford city councillors James Fry and Dr Louise Upton about the prospect of a three-storey building spoiling the appearance of Dragon Lane.

Dr Upton said: “The school has held a meeting to show plans to residents and local councillors.

“I believe a second public meeting has now been planned at which I hope they will be responding to the issues raised.”

Mr Fry said: “The proposal would create a new music block at the back of Park Town, between Norham Road and Bardwell Road. It could be up to three storeys. People living in Park Town are worried about the scale of this development “ One Park Town resident, who asked not to be named, said: “If this plan were to go ahead it would cause great consternation locally.”

Oxford Preservation Trust director Debbie Dance said: “Dragon Lane is a very special place, a rural lane that has somehow survived in the middle of the town.

“The character of this leafy lane is important and we have asked The Dragon to protect it, whatever they do.”

The school’s website says the music school would be part of “a rolling 10-year plan for the development of its buildings and facilities”.

Sarah Harris, of The Dragon School, said: “The Dragon takes its relationship with its neighbours very seriously and in that spirit is undertaking a consultation process with local residents’ associations and other stakeholders before making a formal planning application to replace the school’s existing music school.”