A CHINESE university is moving forward with plans to build a major campus – including a lecture theatre, gymnasium and rooms for almost 100 students – just outside Oxford.

The former Open University site at Boars Hill was sold a year ago to Peking University HSBC Business School (PHBS), which said it intended to make the 15-acre plot its first base in the UK.

But some residents fear the ‘scale and intensity’ of plans for the Foxcombe Hall estate would create problems for those who live nearby.

Following a consultation meeting about the proposals earlier this year, the Friends of Boars Hill group was created to preserve the ‘peace and beauty’ of the area.

The university held an official inauguration ceremony at the site in March but no formal application was submitted to Vale of White Horse District Council.

Now, following months of consultation, a 'screening opinion' request has been put in to the authority.

A precursor to a formal planning application, the request clarifies whether an Environmental Impact Assessment must be carried out for the project.

Documents submitted to the Vale earlier from Savills planner Reece Lemon on behalf of the university, state: “This screening request relates to the proposed demolition of the existing ‘Dairy Building’ at Foxcombe Hall and its redevelopment for student accommodation, teaching space, and ancillary facilities.

“The proposed development would provide up to 93 study rooms, subterranean teaching space, dining areas, a gymnasium, and a 210 seat lecture theatre.”

He added: “The development would also provide ancillary public facilities for local residents and those using recreational walking routes nearby, including public toilet facilities and a public café.”

Mr Lemon stressed the proposal would not increase the level of car parking on site, and would instead provide up to 93 cycle spaces.

A consultation meeting for residents in January and was attended by around a 100 people.

Since that sessions, the Friends of Boars Hill group has been collecting responses from the community and sending updates to residents.

The latest newsletter said: “We have, to date, elicited an enormous response across the Hill and emails still keep coming in.

“Almost all of them express concern about the commercial, scale and intensity of the use proposed by the developers.”

In reference to the March inauguration, which also celebrated the 120th anniversary of Peking University, the letter added: “Many residents have already experienced some of the likely impact during the anniversary celebrations when Berkeley Road, Bedwell Heath, Jarn Way and The Ridgeway were clogged for extended periods of time.”

The newsletter added that the group was now waiting for the formal application.

Prof Guy Liu from PHBS said: "We are fortunate to live alongside good neighbours and local people with whom we share a common community spirit. 

"We fully understand and appreciate that our community’s interests and concerns may differ.

"As a new comer to the area, we fully respect and welcome the views of many and we strive to address these differences of opinion and concerns."

A decision on the screening opinion is set for May 30, though PHBS has not confirmed when it intends to put in a formal application.

For updates from those concerned about the plans visit friendsofboarshill.org

The screening request can be seen at whitehorsedc.gov.uk