PLANS to allow a college tower to be built above Oxford's height limit could 'open the floodgates' for tall buildings to spring up and spoil the city's skyline, it has been warned.

Three towers exceeding the 18.2 metre city limit could be approved by Oxford City Council in the coming weeks, with New College's 21.8-metre Warham House tower, in Savile Road, recommended for approval on Tuesday.

Oxford Preservation Trust warned that buildings should only be permitted above the limit if they add to the dreaming spires and that planners allowing towers above 18.2m despite not being happy with the designs would set a precedent.

A St Hilda's College redevelopment at Cowley Place has already been approved but planners have asked for changes to the design of its 19.3m illuminated tower.

Jesus College has also proposed to exceed the 18.2m limit when it redevelops Northgate House in Cornmarket Street.

The council's west area planning committee were unhappy with the New College tower, despite being in favour of the overall scheme, and the college has now reduced it from 25 metres to 21.8m - one metre lower than Carfax Tower.

OPT director Debbie Dance said: "The New College proposal is of extremely good quality and we have no doubt it will be well built.

"What we are concerned about is that the way the decision is made doesn't open the flood gates in the future.

"With three tall towers coming up at the same time the council has to be absolutely robust so that they don't end up having to give permission to a future development because of their decision-making here."

Ms Dance added: "We feel that a building over the city height limit should only be approved if its adds to Oxford's skyline - if the New College tower is now being reduced and hidden then the city council clearly thinks it harms the skyline.

"If that's the case it shouldn't be approved at all above the limit.

"It's worrying that towers are being approved before we know what they will look like."

The development would demolish New College School hall, Warham House and part of Savile House to build a music hall, study space, porter’s lodge, accommodation for pupils and a dining hall.

The curvy and wavy stone buildings were described as 'kooky and crazy' but ultimately supported by heritage groups.

City council planners were satisfied with the reduction in height, despite it still being above the city limit.

In the report they said: "The reduction in height of the New Warham House tower element reduces its visibility within short range and long range views.

"It would not appear prominent in the street scene.

"It would not detract from the historic significance of or adversely compete with the existing 'dreaming spires of Oxford' for which Oxford is known."

St Mary’s Church in High Street – 54.8m – Tom Tower in St Aldate’s – 45.7m – and Magdalen Tower – 44m – are the highest points in the city.

While the 19.3m St Hilda's College tower will return to committee once its designs have been amended, Jesus College's Cornmarket Street plan has yet to be commented on by council planners.

But St Michael at the North Gate Church - on the same street - has criticised the height and asked to meet college officials.

Churchwarden Bob Earl said: "We are very concerned about the visual impact the tall tower section of the building will have when viewed from the top of St Michael's Tower.

"It completely dominates the view to the south and is a visual distraction."

Oxford City Council failed to respond to a request for comment.