An Oxford college has applied to turn a former youth hostel into student accommodation and a nursery.

St Hilda's -- Oxford University's only remaining women's college -- has applied to Oxford City Council for planning permission to change the use of the former Youth Hostel Association building, in Jack Straw's Lane, Headington.

The application includes plans to create a new access to the road, 11 parking spaces and 18 cycle stands.

Dr Judith Milne, principal of St Hilda's College, said: "We're simply exploring the possibility of obtaining planning permission. It's too early to discuss any details at this stage."

The building has been boarded up since the YHA opened a purpose-built youth hostel next to Oxford railway station, in Botley Road, in May last year.

Controversial plans were submitted by Bryant Homes in July last year to demolish the building and build 19 flats in its place.

The council rejected the application because the area was not earmarked for housing and the development would have increased the amount of traffic using the narrow lane, which is a designated cycle route.

The property dates back to the 1890s and is in a conservation area.

Richard Gray, a member of the Jack Straw's Lane Association, said residents had met representatives from St Hilda's College to discuss the proposals.

Mr Gray said: "We stressed our concerns about traffic and car parking in the lane, which is very narrow.

"The college assured us they would make arrangements for limited parking for staff and provide a turning circle in the grounds for people taking their children to the nursery, although they anticipated that people using it would be travelling by bike or on foot."

The deadline for comments on the application is Friday, March 1.