A decision on the controversial scheme to extend the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford is likely to be delayed following a chorus of criticism about its "ugly" design.

An artist's impression of the extenson

People living in the St John Street conservation area packed a special planning meeting in the Town Hall to lobby Oxford City Council's central, south and west area committee.

Members were being asked by officers to recommend approval of the extension.

But as the strength of criticism about the design -- likened by some critics to a bunker -- became apparent during the two-hour session, chairman Bob Price and his colleagues were convinced a decision should be put off.

The chairman of the St John Street Residents' Association, Margaret Booth, said: "Most people are very supportive of the Ashmolean, but we think this is a step much too far, with service space pushed out into the local conservation area."

Peter Keene, a St John Street resident, said: "There is near universal consensus that the design is intrinsically ugly.

"For a major national project, we feel the museum has not exercised civic responsibility to the public by making information about the project widely available -- no models, visuals or information in the foyer."

After the meeting, Ashmolean administrator Roger Hobby chatted for several minutes with some of the residents unhappy with the museum's plans.

He said: "We have followed the formal planning process as we believe in asking the residents' point of view as well.

"Now is the time to listen very hard to what people have to say."