A MAJOR re-development at a Cowley shopping centre has been blasted by residents, with opposition mounting against the plans.

A number of neighbours of the Templars Square shopping centre have sent a barrage of opposition to Oxford City Council after the £60m 'once-in-a-generation' overhaul was announced, citing traffic, strain on services and over-development as chief concerns.

Since the application to redevelop the centre was placed last month, there have been 33 letters of objection, with eight expressing no objection but with concerns, and just two letters of support.

The Ark T Centre at Crowell Road which opened in 1997 and provides arts and music projects including working with people with mental health problems, is among the objectors.

Ms Emmy O’Shaughnessy at the centre said: “Our practitioners need safe, calm and quiet spaces to work with our clients and we are very concerned that this will not be possible for the length of time taken to build the new apartments.

“We also have a music recording studio and are concerned that during the building works we would not be able to use this to record due to the vibrations caused by machinery.

“From our charity's perspective, our major concern is that the process of demolishing and the building works will prevent us from carrying out our charity's mission.”

Concerns have also been raised over the impact on traffic and services if the regeneration of 225 new homes and a new 71-bed hotel is approved.

Robin Summers, a resident of Rymers Lane, said: “The increase in population will put pressure on the existing public services and infrastructure.

“The construction itself is hideous and will be detrimental to the aesthetic of the area. The building is too high.

“The traffic would increase the risk to school children in the area because the roads at the top of Rymers Lane are already very busy.”

Hockmore Street resident Seamus Reilly said: “There has been a noticeable increase in traffic, resulting in constant bottlenecks, and illegal parking since the recent development on Barns Road.

“I feel that developments on the scale proposed will only exacerbate this problem.”

Revisions to the existing car park to increase the number of spaces by 315 would also form part of the regeneration if plans are approved by Oxford City Council.

Allan Lockhart, property director of NewRiver, which first purchased the centre in 2012, dismissed the traffic impact as 'minimal'.

He said: "In advance of the submission detailed traffic analysis was undertaken by Connect Consultants, which has been submitted as part of the application, including in a transport assessment and a car park survey.

"These findings have confirmed the proposed development will have minimal effect on the local road network.”

Developers will also hold two public information drop-in sessions on the plans at Bank Court inside the centre on January 20 and 21.

The sessions will provide residents with the chance to view the plans, with members of the development team available to answer questions. They will be held from noon to 5pm on Friday and 10am until 4pm on Saturday.

Mr Lockhart added: "We’re delighted to have submitted planning and to now present our exciting proposals again to the local community to show how we’ve incorporated previous feedback.

"This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to revitalise the heart of Cowley and these drop-in sessions demonstrate our long term investment in the town and our continuing commitment to work in partnership with the local community to deliver truly exceptional development.”