St John's College is coming under pressure to spell out its development plans for north Oxford, amid claims that the college is behaving like "a cut-throat developer".

City councillor Jim Campbell, who represents St Margaret's ward, said there were growing concerns about the future of the college-owned St Margaret's Institute, a community centre in Polstead Road used by playgroups and as a day care centre.

The principal bursar of St John's, Dr Anthony Boyce, said the college's priority had to be education. Mr Campbell said: "Rents are coming up for renewal and there are now real fears that they will be put up so high that it will no longer be viable as a community centre.

"There is a feeling that St John's is only concerned with maximising investment possibilities.

"Of course we understand that they need to use their land, but St John's should remember that there are civic and social respon- sibilities too in being a major landowner." He said local people were resentful that the college failed to deal directly with the community, preferring to be represented by their property agents Savills.

Sculptor Martin Jennings is faced with leaving his studio in Rawlinson Road, which he has rented from St John's for 18 years.

The college's plans to demolish the former coach house to make way for housing have been rejected by the city council, but Mr Jennings expected the college would lodge an appeal.

He said: "People like me are being steam-rollered by St John's College.

"It really is not in the remit of what is an educational charity to be behaving like cut-throat property developers."

Dr Boyce said: "The extent to which we can help the local community is something the college carefully considers. We have, for example, given substantial grants to each of the upper schools in Oxford."

He denied that St John's 'hid' behind its agent, Savills, saying it talked informally with residents.

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