A decision on a new Islamic Centre in Oxford has been delayed after English Heritage expressed concern about its effect on a neighbouring college garden.

The Centre for Islamic Studies, which is based in George Street, has submitted a planning application for a new building in Marston Road.

The project was to be discussed today by members of the city planning committee but following English Heritage's intervention, the Department of Environment has ordered a further report before the project can be taken any further. There has been strong opposition to the plan from residents in Marston and St Clement's. The new building will have an 80ft-high dome and a 120ft-high tower.

Planning committee chairman Maureen Christian said: "We can't take this application any further because English Heritage withdrew its previous enthusiastic endorsement."

Among the objectors is the Garden History Society which claimed the buildings would be visible from the Grade-One listed Fellows' Garden of Magdalen College, which is next to the site. David Lambert, the society's conservation officer, said: "It is our advice that the scale and size of this development would have an unacceptable environmental impact."

The senior bursar of Magdalen College, Keith Wills, said new trees and bushes would obscure the dome and tower from the Fellows' Garden.

Balloons were used to give both members of the planning committee and the public a chance to assess the height of the building.

Story date: Wednesday 20 October

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