A justice minister has agreed to search for alternative sites for a new probation centre before it signs any deals for a property in West Oxford, according to Liberal Democrat MP Evan Harris.

Dr Harris, the Oxford West and Abingdon MP, took campaigners to meet David Hanson to seek assurances that the proposed opening of the probation centre in Mill Street, Osney, would not be rushed through.

Many residents are worried about the impact of 350 criminals, including some sex offenders, regularly walking to the centre called Trajan House.

Following the meeting at the Ministry of Justice yesterday, Dr Harris said: “It’s the biggest step forward since the campaign began.

“I am pleased that I was able to secure this meeting in such a timely way, and that local residents, local councillors, and I, were able to put our concerns directly to the minister.

“By the end of the meeting, Mr Hanson agreed that there would be a full search for alternative properties.”

Matthew Savage, who lives near the proposed centre said: “I am very pleased that we were given the assurance not only that the lease on the building in Mill Street would not be signed by the Government for the time being, but that the Home Office would conduct a proper search for alternative sites. “ Dr Harris added: “The Minister acknowledged that there was a real question over whether the Home Office Property people had ever done an adequate search of the area for better sites, and also whether the probation service had settled on Trajan House too early in the process”.

Colin Cook, Labour city councillor for Jericho and Osney ward, said after the meeting: “I am pleased the minister was so constructive and that as a result there is now breathing space for the local residents to continue to make the case that this is the wrong site.”

Fellow resident Rosemary Preston said: “it was a very good meeting, but the Trajan House Mega-Probation centre is still very much on the table.

“No amount of informal engagement by the probation centre will make that proposal acceptable.”

The meeting with Mr Hanson was requested by Dr Harris and agreed by the minister in an adjournment debate a fortnight ago.