A COMMUNITY group has urged councillors to postpone approving plans for Summertown that would pave the way for its centre to be demolished.

The North Oxford Association (NOA) is concerned the redevelopment of the Diamond Place car park will leave it without adequate facilities.

A blueprint for the redevelopment has been put forward by Oxford City Council, which has proposed replacing the community centre with a new “community hub”, including an expanded Ferry Leisure Centre, hall space and a health centre.

Under the plan, parking spaces would be maintained but cafes, shops and new homes would also be added.

Senior councillors have been recommended to adopt the blueprint at a meeting on Thursday.

But members of the NOA fear they will be forced to use temporary buildings during the redevelopment, prompting concerns it will reduce the number of activities that can be organised and the accessibility of the centre if it is not located near its current location.

The group has about 600 members and provides activities including yoga, language lessons, lunch clubs and babysitting courses.

Association member Rodney Stableford, of Victoria Road, said many residents wanted the current centre to be kept, or for a permanent replacement to be built before it was bulldozed.

Mr Stableford, a retired architect, added: “Our view is that having to use temporary premises is going to harm the community centre’s activities.

“I am concerned that will affect people who are vulnerable who use the centre as an extension of home but may be put off if it is less accessible.”

He said a new community centre could be built on Summer Field School’s playing field, which lies east of the Ferry Leisure Centre’s car park.

That site has been earmarked for temporary car parking by the city council while the redevelopment is carried out, as well as housing in the future.

The city council said: “It is not considered that any new community facility should be developed before demolition of the existing facility.

“This would preclude it being provided in the same location, with all its potential for development of a community hub, close to the multi-storey and the principal route into the site from the district centre.

“However, it is agreed that it is important that community facilities continue to be available in north Oxford during construction on the Diamond Place site.”