A Sculptor who says he faces eviction from his north Oxford studio has presented a petition signed by 500 supporters to St John's College.

Martin Jennings believes the Oxford college is determined to see him out of the studio in Rawlinson Road he has rented for 18 years.

St John's plans to demolish the former coach house to make way for housing were rejected by the city council's north area committee earlier this month on the grounds that it would not enhance the conservation area.

But Mr Jennings said he feared the college would appeal against the decision.

The wording of the petition also reflects growing unease among north Oxford residents and councillors about the college's long-term development plans.

The petition says: "We believe that subjecting every corner of north Oxford to residential development deprives a much loved area of its character and interest. We believe that St John's College should fulfil its obligations as an educational charity by supporting artistic and cultural endeavours in a part of the city where it is so influential a presence."

Senior staff at the college met on May 28 to discuss whether they should appeal against the council's decision, but adjourned a decision until after the college's estates committee had more time to consider the issue.

The college's principal bursar Dr Anthony Boyce, said : "We object to the term eviction. It is a question of a lease not being renewed. It's a situation that arises in many relationships between tenants and landlords."