Residents claim plans to increase an Oxfordshire park and ride scheme by nearly half could cause severe flooding in an area badly hit in this month's stormy weather.

People living in Botley, Oxford, believe the proposed Seacourt car park extension would impinge on flood plains - which have already been swamped this year following torrential rain.

Cllr Briony Newport beside the land earmarked for the expanded park and ride car park

They are also angry about the plans to enlarge the site from 805 cars to 1,159, because it could lead to more traffic jams on the already congested Botley Road.

Developer Activale Ltd has submitted plans to both the Vale of White Horse District Council and Oxford City Council.

As well as extending the park and ride site, the bus lane running down from the A34 roundabout would be widened, and a second exit and entrance to the site would be built on to the slip road.

But Vale councillor and chairman of North Hinksey Parish Council, Briony Newport, said the concrete car park extension could lead to severe flooding in the area. She said: "The area they want to build on has been badly flooded this month and we want to know what would happen if that land was developed.

"We would prefer if they built out of the area, rather than encouraging traffic to come down into Botley. We know the park and ride site is only ever 72 per cent full at peak times and there is no need to extend it further.

"And can you imagine the chaos caused by another exit on to the slip road? It's already completely blocked at rush hour."

Vale principal planning officer Martin Deans said it would be up to the Environment Agency to decide if the area was put at risk from flooding by the development.

He said: "They have put in an objection already, because the area is a designated flood plain around Seacourt Stream."

A similar planning application was turned down two years ago after planners decided the development - with a link road straight off the A34 Botley Interchange - would isolate vital Green Belt land.

Even though the extension was an important part of the Oxford City Council transport strategy, Environment Secretary John Prescott rejected the proposal following a public inquiry.