HOUSEHOLDERS who last week lost a battle against the construction of 55 new student flats in their street now fear 100 more will be built just down the road.

People in Mill Street, West Oxford, have spent years opposing plans to build student accommodation in the quiet residential road.

But councillors last week backed developer WE Black’s plans for 55 new study rooms in an old railway sidings off Osney Lane. The two- storey building is intended to house GCSE, A-Level and foundation course students at Bellerby’s College, in nearby Trajan House.

Now another developer is set to apply for permission to convert nearby Innovation House into flats for 100 more students. The building is currently occupied by small businesses.

Developer HXRUK3 is currently consulting neighbours about the plans, and intends to submit a planning application by the end of the month.

Residents say that since Bellerby’s moved to Trajan House in September 2010, more than 350 students a day walk up and down narrow Mill Street, causing disturbance, litter and noise.

Mill Street resident Mike Magee said: “Already the streets are rather congested at certain times of the morning and afternoon.

“From what was a relatively quiet street, since Bellerby’s moved in it has already become quite a busy street.

“And to be fair to the students, we do not think putting them right next to the railway line in a monolithic block will be good for them.”

Neighbour Rosemary Preston, left, warned locating student accommodation blocks in quiet streets were changing their character permanently.

She said: “This is a big issues for a small residential enclave. It is the same in parts of Jericho, East Oxford and Headington. It is big stuff.”

In a letter to Oxford City Council planners, the agents for HXRUK3, West Waddy ADP, said Innovation House was already allocated for student accommodation and would convert easily.