OXFORD Brookes University has not given up on a licensing bid despite residents’ fears it would create “a party time district” in Headington.

The application – which would allow alcohol to be sold on the Gipsy Lane campus from 9am to 11.30pm seven days a week and the staging of outdoor music events – was due to go to the city council licensing committee this week.

To the fury of neighbours, the potential licence would also permit 12 events finishing at 2am along with two other all-night events at the university Gipsy Lane campus.

However it was withdrawn following an objection from local city councillor Joe McManners.

Dr McManners, councillor for the Churchill ward, said: “I was concerned that people had not been properly consulted.

“There needs to be serious consideration of the potential impact of late night activity in a residential area.”

However, Brookes says it will resubmit the Gipsy Lane licence application, to avoid repeatedly having to apply for temporary applications for individual events.

Brookes spokesman Ed Reed said: “We will now resubmit the application and the consultation period will restart.

“The university entered into the consultation in good faith and residents were told about the applications in some detail at a meeting in February.”

Brookes said the application, of three it has submitted for its city sites, covered events such as graduations, student plays and concerts.

But residents insist the application to host music and dance events indoors and outdoors would make life a misery for people living near the campus. Margaret Conway, of Headington Hill, said: “It will be a party time district right beside major residential areas.”

Her husband Ken Lovesy said the university had not properly consulted on its plans and was “trying to slip a blanket proposal under the radar”.

He said: “We are facing a nightmare world of noise pollution and rowdy behaviour.”

The licence application would allow both live and recorded music, with residents fearing the prospect of open-air events on terraces and the new piazza.

An all-night New Year’s Eve event and annual ball with a 5am finishing time are also proposed.

A separate application for the sale of alcohol and music had already been submitted for Brookes’ Milham Ford campus, which is likely to be discussed next month, allowing for music, dance and the supply of alcohol from 11am to 11pm, with six late evening events going on until 1am.

A licence for music and supply of alcohol from 9am to 11pm has already been obtained for the university’s Headington Hill site.

Asked if the licence would bring in additional income for Brookes, Mr Reed said that there were no plans to introduce extra functions.

rlittle@oxfordmail.co.uk