Plans to allow parking for 250 cars at an Oxford hotel have been criticised by a residents' group.

The Upper Wolvercote Association claims the move will lead to traffic chaos.

It says council officers did not present Highways Agency advice accurately to the city planning committee when it approved an application by Paramount Hotels in April.

The city council has rejected the criticism.

The hotel company has been granted planning permission to redesign its parking area to increase the number of parking spaces at the Oxford Hotel on the Wolvercote roundabout from 150 to 250.

The extra parking forms part of expansion plans at the site, including three new blocks that will provide 72 bedrooms and a conference and function suite.

Tim Beardsworth, chairman of the Upper Wolvercote Association, has written to the planning committee chairman John Goddard, and city council chief executive Marion Headicar to demand an investigation of the planning procedure.

In their report, council officers said the Highways Agency had initially raised an objection to the development proposals, but did not recommend that the application be turned down.

But Mr Beardsworth said he had a letter from the Highways Agency recommending refusal.

The planning consent is subject to a legal agreement that requires the company to pay £20,000 for highway work.

Commenting on the conditions, Mr Beardsworth added: "This is what happens when the city council demands and receives a £20,000 bribe in return for granting planning permission."

Ms Headicar said: "I have looked at the association's comments and concluded that the report was not misleading.

"The planning committee was given all the necessary information by the Highways Agency and it made its decision on the balance of the evidence available.

"I am satisfied that the statutory planning process has been followed."