THE row over a restaurateur's plans to create a new public square in East Oxford has taken a new turn.

With the public consultation on a proposed square on Dawson Street about to close, Clinton Pugh has submitted a new plan to create "an oasis for residents, local workers, shoppers and visitors."

But it seems his new designs to create a square with trees and space for a street cafe look like only extending the increasingly bitter dispute.

For opponents of the scheme say they will continue to fight for a garden square for the people of Cowley, rather than one filled with tables, chairs and bicycle racks.

Mr Pugh's Cowley Road businesses Cafe CoCo and the Kazbar would be sited on either side of the new square, which he wants to design and pay for.

He says that he decided to submit amended plans in response to a suggestion that a central pathway through the centre of the square would improve the scheme, with an avenue effect created by evergreen Italian Holme oak trees.

Instead of being in the centre of the square, tables and chairs would now go to the outside of the new square.

The consultation, which was to have ended on September 6, will be extended until the end of the month in the light of the new proposals.

Mr Pugh said: "Some people were concerned about general access to the square and possible problems of access for emergency vehicles.

"The idea of a central paved avenue was suggested to me. It struck me as a very good one, so I have amended the plans, which is something I am entitled to do."

He said all the trees and street furniture would be removable. He also hoped that the proposed Dawson Street Square would become a venue for farmers' markets, and art and antiques fairs.

Mr Pugh, who opened Cafe CoCo 14 years ago, said the application would create 'a safe green outdoor space that could be sensibly managed at no cost to the council or local people.' In return he would seek a licence to use part of the square as a street caf during the daytimes and early evenings. So far he has received more than 3,000 letters of support.

But the pressure group formed to oppose the plan, Common Ground Common Sense, says it has collected 400 signatures for its own petition. The group warned against the "privatisation of a public space".

Its founder, Erica Steinhauer, of the Bead Games Shop, in Cowley Road, said: "We have many cafs and restaurants in this area, but no public square. This area should be designated as a public space. Its primary use should be as a public garden square. Once it had been established Mr Pugh could apply through the normal licensing channels to put some tables on the edge.

"Mr Pugh has applied for a change of use that would effectively give him control of the space for his personal and commercial development"

She accused him of seeking to "change the goal posts" and criticised the decision to submit a late amendment.

The planning application is expected to go before the east area committee in October.