A BUILDERS’ yard in East Oxford is set to be transformed into an Oxford University college campus – complete with its own sunken amphitheatre.

Plans have been submitted for a major development off Cowley Road, which will provide accommodation for 166 St Hilda’s College students.

The Chapel Street scheme features a courtyard, sunken gymnasium and student study rooms along with a single-storey pavilion amphitheatre.

But local residents are unhappy about the three and four-storey blocks at the heart of the development, claiming the project is too big for a residential area made up of two-storey Victorian properties.

It represents one of the biggest Oxford college schemes in recent years and a major expansion of the former all-female college, whose main campus is set in four acres of gardens on the banks of the Cherwell at Magdalen Bridge.

But it looks like sparking another planning row, with East Oxford residents’ groups, who in recent months have fought the redevelopment of Oxford Brookes University’s main campus, plans for a £57m campus at Old Road and student accommodation on St Clement’s car park.

The scheme on the Travis Perkins Builders’ Yard goes to the city council’s west area planning committee next Wednesday, with officers recommending approval.

Nik Lyzba, planning consultant for the scheme, said: “The development would not include a traditional college quad but is set around a courtyard which will no doubt become a main socialising space.”

The college currently houses its graduates in properties along Iffley Road, and Mr Lyzba said the development would help free up homes.

But Elizabeth Mills, chairman of the East Oxford Residents’ Forum, said: “The main issue is the sheer scale of this development. It is very high and will encroach horribly on the lives and space of residents.”

She feared the creation of the open courtyard had resulted in the new buildings being too close to residential properties. She also said residents were concerned about student parking in the area.

Chris Honeywell, from Ablett Close, said: “The waste recycling, workshops and laundry are all right up against back gardens.

“People are worried about the likely noise and smells.”

But Mr Lyzba insisted: “The courtyard has no impact on the distance to adjacent houses.”

He said the workshops and recycling area would be behind a wall.

City council officer Murray Hancock’s report says: “The relationships to neighbouring properties are handled skillfully and the potential laid for introducing good- quality tree planting, soft landscaping and wildlife habitats where none currently exist.”