RESIDENTS fear a £57m Oxford University development will add to their mounting parking problems.

The university wants to demolish three buildings at its Old Road Campus, near the Churchill Hospital, to make way for new medical research facilities.

Neighbours fear it will worsen parking problems from the Churchill, which has expanded in recent years.

The move comes four months after Oxford Brookes University won a bid to re-develop its nearby Gipsy Lane campus despite strong local opposition.

Up to 300 staff will based at the Oxford University development, with some potentially relocating from London.

Tony Joyce, chairman of the co-ordinating committee of the Headington Residents’ Associations, said: “One of the problems is the bulk and impact of the buildings on residential properties, particularly those just opposite.

“Then there is the whole question of the traffic problems which are already beyond an acceptable level in the area.”

Divinity Road Residents' Association spokesman Sietske Boeles said: “There is no doubt that many of the staff will commute by car from London and elsewhere and the Thornhill park and ride is already completely full.

“These cars will contribute to further traffic congestion in Headington and East Oxford.

“They will park in the adjacent non-controlled parking streets such as those in the Divinity Road area.”

The Southfield Road resident said the university should pay for a permit scheme for the Divinity Road area.

The plans are for a £20m Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine for up to 100 staff and a £37m Institute for Rheumatology.

This will house 120 scientists, 25 support staff and 40 research students.

The Richards Building, the ORC Management Building and the Badenoch Building would be demolished.

A university spokesman said: “The university appreciates concerns about parking availability, and we will continue to consult local residents to find the best way to meet this challenge.

“The issue was raised recently at a private meeting that was convened by the university’s planning consultant to which key local groups were invited, and ahead of any formal public consultation on the development.

“A number of measures will be put in place to encourage staff to seek alternative methods of travel to car use, such as facilities inside the new buildings for cyclists, and we are also considering how to provide better linkages between the Old Road development site and the various bus services.”

A full planning application will be submitted to Oxford City Council next month. If approved, construction work will begin in October for a 2013 opening.