St John's College is facing a fresh controversy over the future of the old St Philip and St James school site.

The wealthy Oxford college has been challenged by a city councillor and residents to reveal its plans for the site, amid new fears that the whole area is to be developed for housing.

The primary school moved from the Leckford Road site at Christmas, relocating in Navigation Way.

Now residents say they expect the land to revert back to St John's College, owners of the site, from the Church of England which has had it on a long-term lease.

A Phil and Jim Community group has been set up in a bid "to protect the site from luxury development and to encourage community use of the site".

Jane Kaye, of Leckford Road, said: "People are concerned about the continued development of North Oxford for housing, which seems as if it is never ending. All this area's development over the past few years is blocks of flats and high-density living."

She said the school site should be used as a child care centre, an old people's home or for artists' workshops. "We do not need another block of flats. What we need is for the site to remain as a building for community use -- as it has been for the last 156 years."

Adrian Arbib, a member of the newly-formed community group, said: "The school site and buildings are held in great affection by the community.

"It has had, and should continue to have, a central position in the life of people who live in this area."

The vicar of St Margaret's and St Giles' Churches, Andrew Bunch, said the church was in discussions with the college about the site, but no agreement had been reached.

He said a number of separate issues were being discussed with the college, including the future of the college-owned St Margaret's Institute, a community centre in Polstead Road, used by local playgroups and a day care centre for the elderly. St John's, the biggest landowner in North Oxford, came under fire last year when more than 500 residents signed a petition, claiming the entire character of North Oxford was being threatened by the college's ambitious development schemes.

The Bursar of St John's, Dr Anthony Boyce, said: "All we have done is agree to take responsibility for the security of the site after some concern about unauthorised access. We are in discussions with the Diocese about the future of the site. Discussions have not been completed yet."