CHANGES to a plan to extend an Oxford hotel have been rejected by the city council over worries ‘poor’ alterations would damage its surroundings.

A new 17-bedroom extension to Mercure’s Eastgate Hotel in Merton Street was approved in 2017 but amendments were applied for earlier this year.

The city council rejected the most recent changes on Thursday, complaining they would ‘materially diminish the originally approved design...resulting in a poor quality design’.

As part of that application, the extension’s overall ridge height, eaves height and internal floor to ceiling height would have increased by between 39cm and 40cm.

Planning officers added the new design would not ‘respond appropriately’ to its place in the Central Conservation Area and proximity to listed buildings.

A report on the council’s website added: “It is considered that the less than substantial harm is not outweighed in this case by any public benefits.”

Oxford University’s Examination Schools had also raised concerns about noise and disturbance during exam periods. The city council had imposed a condition ensuring no work would take place when exams were being sat.

Planning applications to change the hotel were also submitted in 2011, 2013 and 2017.