A proposed new indoor tennis centre in Iffley Road, Oxford, would be an eyesore and 'an offence' to residents, it has been claimed.

The 25ft-high centre at the Oxford University sports ground would dominate the road and spoil a sweeping view of the city if it was approved, neighbours said.

Iffley Road resident Prof Andrew Linzey said: "The university says it will be an iconic building - in fact it will be an iconic eyesore.

"The proposed building is ugly, an intolerable intrusion into a conservation area and an offence to local residents.

"It's especially disappointing that the university has not pursued consultation with local residents before putting in a planning application.

"They know they are pushing this in the teeth of opposition from local people."

The university promised comments it received in a consultation period would be reflected in the final design, where possible.

But Hazel Dougla, 55, of Marston Street, said the sports centre would completely ruin one of the city's last sweeping views, from the end of Marston Street directly opposite the site.

She said: "On one level I would like to have indoor tennis courts at the end of my road.

"I would love to be able to play on them and for other people to use them too.

"But this building is going to be so hideous - it's going to be like one of those zinc baths your granny used to have in front of the fire.

"If they want to have something that high, they should put it lower down on the site. People are very, very upset about this."

David Barton, chairman of the Iffley Road area residents' association, said: "For the length of three tennis courts a gray zinc roof will dominate the road.

"The overall impression is of something that has accidentally dropped in from Brize Norton or Heathrow."

Judith Orcott, 62, from Marston Street, said: "It's a very ugly and extremely huge building and it's going to loom up incredibly high.

"It could so easily have been located opposite the church, where no-one lives, or opposite student residences as they are only here temporarily."

A university spokesman said: "The university has undertaken a comprehensive consultation process over the last 18 months prior to submitting the application.

"Comments that were made have been taken into account in the final proposals where possible."

No date has been set for a decision on the application.

A public exhibition of the plans will be held at Oxford University Rugby Club pavilion on Monday, February 18.