RESIDENTS in West Oxford have voiced concerns that plans for a new housing and retail development could increase traffic, litter and parking problems.

People living in Lamarsh Road have been involved in talks with developers Kingerlee over plans to build nine flats, seven houses and three large retail units in the road.

There are fears the new shops, with parking for up to 190 vehicles, could add to traffic problems on the already congested Botley Road and their position behind the existing retail park could bring many more shoppers into the area.

Doug Nevill,35, of Lamarsh Road, said: "The main concerns are parking, traffic, aesthetics and litter, but the biggest concern is about traffic on Botley Road. The Botley Road is nose to tail every morning anyway, so with three new retail outlets and a new Aldi given planning permission it can only get worse."

Permission has been granted for a residential development, but Kingerlee said it would submit a new application once any problems were ironed out.

Mr Nevill, a senior design engineer with Grove-based Williams F1 team, said: "This week I drove by the retail park and the litter was horrendous. There was packaging everywhere.

"We need to make sure these new shops don't add to the problems. We have expressed our views to Kingerlee and everyone is fairly agreed on the direction we want them to go with the development.

"We hope they heed our ideas for the plans as we are the ones that have to live here.

"Were hoping it will be mutually beneficial because it will help save a protracted planning process if everyone is happy with the plans."

Retailers Dun Elm, Pet's Mart and Allied Carpets have declared an interest in running the units.

Jericho and Osney councillors Colin Cook and Susanna Pressel are set to meet Kingerlee tomorrow.

Ms Pressel said: "Its very good these developers are consulting with residents before they do anything. I hope the dialogue continues."

Kingerlee spokesman Vicki Fletcher said the company recognised the concerns of residents about the impact on parking, litter and increased traffic.

She said: "We have assessed the traffic impact and a detailed transport statement will be submitted to the council."

She added that a key finding from the assessment was that the new plans would generate less traffic than the original approved proposals.