AN EXHIBITION of plans to reduce the impact of Oxford University’s student flats on views from Port Meadow closes today.

Residents have their last chance to view the proposed changes to the Castle Mill buildings at the event in St Luke’s Chapel, Woodstock Road, from 10am to 12pm.

The measures include tree planting, new cladding and a different colour of paint.

It comes after the university consulted residents in July.

Paul Goffin, director of estates, said: “We had a really positive response to our first public consultation, when our team had long conversations with residents.

“The clear majority favoured the proposal that we are bringing forward at today’s consultation, and we hope the design will be welcomed.”

He added: “We are delighted the community has been so willing to engage with us on recent building projects, and we hope this is leading to better outcomes for everyone.”

A report carried out by consultants on behalf of the university in 2014 found the flats harmed views across the city and of St Barnabas Church from Port Meadow.

Campaign group Save Port Meadow demanded they be reduced in height, but this idea was rejected by the university’s ‘parliament’ – the Congregation – in a landmark vote in 2015.

Since then, the university has sought to press ahead with its latest proposals.

It is set to cost £6m, but was originally dismissed by critics as ‘a paint-job and a few bushes’.

The university said all feedback from its consultation would be considered before it lodged plans with the city council.

Its two-day exhibition started yesterday.

To view the proposals online, visit admin.ox.ac.uk/estates/aboutus/news