MORE THAN 100 people in a month have hit out at plans for hundreds of new student rooms.

Neighbours have told Oxford City Council that plans for a seven-storey estate at Oxford Brookes University’s Clive Booth Student Village will spoil the skyline of dreaming spires, increase traffic and ruin the conservation area.

Councillors will be advised about the comments, which flag a host of environmental and historical worries, before they consider giving the go-ahead to the university.

If all goes to plan, the demolition on eight block of flats at the student village, which is just off Garne Way in Headington, could be approved within months.

The major revamp will then continue with the building of 1,077 new student rooms, with communal space, 615 more than the current site. 

But a Ferry Road resident wrote that 1,000 students in the area would be ‘catastrophic’.

He added: “The infrastructure is currently struggling to cope with providing minimal services from parking, public transport and removing litter. Cramming 1,000 people into the space will result in the collapse of multiple services.”

About 50 more objections said the population increase will ‘completely change’ Marston and impact traffic.

But the university said the new site will be beneficial for the wider community, easing the burden on Oxford’s rental market – with 3,800 students dotted around the city in private homes.

There will be 61 fewer car spaces and 350 cycle docks.

Cyclox was among the 100 objectors’ to the plans.

It said: “We are objecting to the number of cycle parking spaces in this development. The number proposed is around 25 per cent of the number of study bedrooms. It is not acceptable.”

A Feilden Grove resident said the height was an issue, adding: Plans are far too high, some seven storeys. This is out of character with the area and will have an impact on important views.”

A resident living on Rolfe Place added that the conservation area was important. He said: “I understand that 140 trees will have to be sacrificed for this development. This is a conservation area and I deeply object to that.”

Oxford Brookes said: “The plans evolved following engagement with local residents, Historic England and other specialists to help ensure that the proposed improvements to the site will create a more positive contribution to the surrounding area. In addition to providing an enhanced student experience, the development will improve the surrounding area through extending green spaces.”