A controversial Chinese state-owned university base in Oxfordshire has sparked security fears after outlining plans to expand its UK campus.

Peking University HSBC Business School has owned the British spot at Boars Hill since 2017 after purchasing the area from the Open University.

It is a component school of Peking University which is the second oldest public university in China and was founded in 1898 by the Guangxu Emperor.

The organisation now wishes to introduce a lecture theatre seating 200 and extensive student housing but residents fear students will overwhelm the village.

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The spot can be found in the village of Boars Hill outside of Oxford.

According to national reports, members of the local Friends of Boars Hill association said their privacy has been breached since students started to arrive on campus.

“One lady was away, and so they just walked into her garden and sat in her greenhouse,” said the group.

“I’ve had students taking photos of my house, and we’ve had people flying drones over our properties.

“These are the problems now when it's only a handful of students [and] while the plans are for 60 bedrooms, the dean wants nearly 200.

“The parachuting of an overseas university to bring these students to a small, quiet village will completely change its character.”

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Villagers have raised concerns about the expansion.Villagers have raised concerns about the expansion. (Image: PHBS)

The Times has reported that planning objection letters have brought up fears over a possible threat to national security.

Villagers have warned of allowing the institution to set up so close to Oxford University, the Harwell cybersecurity centre and Jet which is the focal point of Europe’s fusion research programme.

“Where this site is on a hill, it overlooks Oxford,” said a Friends of Boars Hill member.

“The theft of intellectual property is of serious concern.

“Oxford and Cambridge are regarded as the leaders in research and development, and here is this school right on the edge of Oxford.”

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The institution, which is registered with the Home Office as a sponsor of student visas, insists that a cohesive relationship exists with residents.

“With a mission to cultivate leaders who contribute to society, our university emphasises the importance of students valuing harmonious relationships with local neighbours,” said a spokesperson for PHBS.

“We set an example for our students by inviting our neighbours to campus events, such as academic seminars and conferences.

“In addition, our campus is open to the community; for example, many residents regularly walk their dogs on campus, and our car park is available to our neighbours when they need additional parking space.”

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PHBS Shenzhen in China.PHBS Shenzhen in China. (Image: PHBS)

Sam Dunning, the founder of the UK-China Transparency group, added: “This campus is run partly according to Chinese Communist Party rules which are not in keeping with UK legislation.

“This is a major test of whether the universities regulator is, as the government insists, prepared to enforce existing law protecting free speech on campus.”

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