A conservation body has criticised city planners for not consulting it on proposals for a controversial Islamic centre, writes Karen Rosine.

Under planning law, the Garden History Society claims it has to be consulted on planning applications affecting registered parks and consultations in Oxford at the earliest possible moment.

But the first the society heard of plans for the centre was when a representative saw details published in the local press - just a day before the city council's planning committee met on September 29 and deferred the application for more information. Then the society, which objects to the plans which include an 80ft-high dome and a 120ft high tower, contacted planners to ask for a copy of the plans.

David Lambert, society conservation officer, has now written to city planners expressing concern over the delay.

Officers are recommending councillors approve the plans.

The application site adjoins the grade one registered gardens of Magdalen College. The Garden History Society is concerned that the buildings would be visible from within the college's Fellows Garden, destroying its illusion of rural remoteness.

Mr Lambert said: "It is our advice in the strongest terms that the scale and size of this development would have an unacceptable environmental impact on the setting of the registered garden."

Story date: Tuesday 12 October

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