RESIDENTS fighting three-storey flats in their back garden are 'unconvinced' by insistence that they will not inflict more flooding.

Plans to build nine flats in Abingdon Road in Oxford were put on hold after the Environment Agency challenged them, but documents have since been submitted appeasing concerns.

VO Properties hopes to build on a neglected former orchard next to Tesco Extra and lodged an environmental investigation on its application last week, but residents remain concerned about repercussions of building in the flood zone.

Phil Fryer of nearby Peel Place said: "The EA were very scathing about the last proposal. I remain unconvinced that it doesn't increase flood risk. During the last floods the water came right up to our doorstep - it's a very serious issue."

The 65-year-old musician deemed the plans 'intrusive and invasive' but was hopeful that the application would be rejected, adding: "It depends on what the EA responds but it's just too big, having a three-storey building in our back garden.

"We would like to see it as a garden project, a green space like the beautiful orchard it was before. It would be a public amenity and would help with the air issue here."

VO's agents Kemp & Kemp submitted an application to Oxford City Council in May and brought in environmental experts after the EA objected.

In June the agency slammed the plans for not including a flood risk assessment, adding: "It does not demonstrate that the development will

be safe for its lifetime and does not provide a suitable basis for assessment to be made of the flood risks."

It said it may remove its objection if an assessment was submitted.

A flood risk assessment published last month by AKS Ward consultants concluded: "The proposed development will not increase the risk of flooding on or off site."

The site was originally used as outside space for the Fox and Hounds pub, now Tesco, and backs onto a car wash once used as a petrol station.

Last week investigations by BRD Environmental Ltd were published alongside the flood risk documents and said 'groundwater is unlikely to reach the surface'.

It noted there was 'hydrocarbon contamination in the groundwater' caused by the former fuel station but said the concentrations were insignificant.

The Environment Agency is yet to respond to the new reports.

Residents have raised other concerns about the site including being overlooked, pressure on the sewage system and concerns about dangerous access.

Kemp & Kemp has not yet responded to a request for comment.