Oxford Brookes University has unveiled its plans for a major development in Marston Road to house up to 338 students.

The proposed accommodation will be built around a courtyard dominated by a water feature crossed with bridges.

The university said the four-storey development is a key element in a 10-year £150m programme to upgrade facilities and will help relieve pressure on the local housing market.

But it was immediately criticised as being a "fortress" by nearby residents, who fear it will dominate the surrounding area.

Gordon Snow, of the New Marston Residents' Association, said: "The plans show a four-storey fortress half as high again as neighbouring flats and twice the height of residential housing in the surrounding area."

The new building would stand in front of the existing Clive Booth and Morrell halls, close to the main Headington campus. The students would be housed in a range of two to six-bedroom flats.

The pond in the main quadrangle would be filled with recycled rainwater, with a "green roof" promised to reduce water discharge.

Deputy vice-chancellor Rex Knight said: "There are currently 3,400 Brookes students living in private housing. The development is primarily intended to meet the university's commitment to reduce the overall number in private rented housing.

"Students would be prohibited from bringing cars, so there would be minimal impact on surrounding roads. The development would also feature an internal courtyard to ensure all social activities take place within the halls and do not disturb neighbours."

Mr Snow said local residents remained unhappy about the university's continuing expansion on the former government buildings site in Marston Road.

He said: "Brookes are now talking of a one to two per cent expansion a year. Can Oxford bear a 25 per cent increase in the size of Brookes over the next dozen years?"

A consultation exhibition will be held at Oxford Brookes School of Health and Social Care, in Marston Road, tomorrow from 10am to 4pm and on Monday from 1pm to 7pm.