CONTROVERSIAL plans for a shopping development on a Summertown car park will be unveiled in the spring.

Oxford City Council will bring forward plans for 115-space Diamond Place car park off Banbury Road.

The site, along with Oxford University’s nearby Ewert House, is earmarked for a “retail-led” scheme.

This could also include student accommodation, housing or employment space.

The council said its new plans will be subject to further consultation.

Colin Cook, board member for development, said the council could develop the site with the university. This would be similar to a joint venture, with British Rail Board (Residuary), for offices and homes at Oxpens, Oxford.

He said: “Usually in these cases we will get a developer in but we might do a joint scheme with the university like Oxpens. It won’t necessarily be sold.

“The university was consulted over our plans for the site.”

Some traders have raised concerns about loss of parking, though the council said a “sufficient”

number of spaces would stay.

A new GP surgery is among ideas put forward by residents.

Council spokesman Louisa Dean said: “We ran a workshop at a Summertown and St Margaret’s forum in September and the findings were presented to the forum in October.

“We are now working on different options for the site and will consult on these in the spring when this work has been completed.”

Martin Roberts, chairman of the Summertown and St Margaret’s Neighbourhood Forum, said: “For local residents it is not obvious that this should be retail-led.

“There is a strong view that we would like a medical centre.”

Ewert House is home to the university’s Department for Continuing Education.