Major plans are under way to demolish and rebuild a popular sports and social club in Cowley, Oxford.

Watlington-based Chesside Homes Ltd is being asked by club owners to demolish the Morris Motors Athletic and Social Club in Crescent Road as part of a housing development.

The developers plan to replace the old building with a new sports and social club, 21 two-bedroomed flats in a three-storey block, and a terrace of six four-bedroomed homes with access from Barracks Lane and 98 parking spaces. The sports ground and bowling green would be kept.

There would also be 11 two-bedroomed terraced homes fronting Crescent Road and two three-storey blocks providing another 21 two-bedroomed flats.

Stan Taylor, city councillor for Cowley Marsh ward, said: "The proposals are a major diversion from the council's Local Plan, and include a significant number of new homes.

"If planning permission is granted, a new club will be built as part of the development because the sports ground has to be retained."

Residents have called for a public meeting, which will be held on Tuesday, December 10, at Temple Cowley School, Temple Road, starting at 6.30pm.

Tom Doliamie, the club's project manager for the plans, said: "There will be no encroachment on any green space and we will be providing a terrific facility for local people."

Mr Doliamie has invited residents living nearby to a meeting at the club on November 20 at 7pm.

The planning application will be decided by a meeting of the Cowley area committee at a date to be fixed.