Plans for a university accomodation block that has attracted more than 300 letters of complaint are a step closer to going ahead.

Oxford City Council's planning committee on Wednesday approved a proposal to build 592 study bedrooms for Oxford Brookes students in Marston Road, but the application still has to go before the full council on October 15. It can refer the plans back to the committee for reconsideration.

Public galleries at Oxford Town Hall were packed with residents when Oxford Brookes Charitable Trust's application for 17 three-storey blocks on a former Government building site were discussed.

Campaigners fear the proposed accommodation blocks would be too high, spoiling views of the city, and are concerned about an increase in traffic.

Dr Susan Mallett, a spokeswoman for New Marston South Residents' Association, told the meeting: "This scheme has so many flaws that it is incredible."

Planning committee member Cllr Rob Sykes said further environmental studies should be carried out to assess the impact on wildlife.

Committee chairman John Goddard said it was the council's policy to place students in purpose-built accommodation to free up housing in the city.

He said it would be difficult to justify rejecting the application if the trust appealed.

After the meeting, an Oxford Brookes spokesman said: "We were pleased with the committee's decision.

"We will work towards meeting any conditions that the council deems fit to impose."

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But after the decision was made, three councillors asked for the council's full committee to reconsider the application, from when it next meets.

The development would see 17, three storey blocks erected to house the students as well as an administration block, bicycle stores and landscaping.