A NEW bid to build student flats on St Clements car park is being launched with a competition to redesign the controversial East Oxford site.

Architects are being asked to come up with fresh plans after a scheme for 141 student bedrooms in three blocks was narrowly rejected in September, with traders warning loss of parking spaces would damage business.

Now residents and traders are unhappy with Oxford City Council’s involvement in the new search for an alternative scheme.

Watkin Jones Group says it hopes new designs will address the concerns of Oxford University and residents, who fought a year-long battle to stop student homes being built on stilts above the car park near Magdalen Bridge.

The developers are also to appeal against the city council’s decision to reject their earlier scheme, which planning officers had recommended for approval.

Three architects have been invited to submit designs, with the best schemes expected to be announced before Christmas.

Paul Gillespie, of Watkin Jones, said the competition’s outcome would not result in an immediate new planning application.