A ROW over whether a view of Oxford's castle mound from an alley should be maintained is going on behind the scenes of a plan for 52 student flats.

In September, St Peter's College submitted plans to knock down two buildings, including an old Conservative club and Castle Hill House, on New Road, and replace them with 52 student 'study rooms' over two new buildings.

Despite attempts by the college to address fears, local historians are worried that the 'last remaining place' that Oxford's castle mound can be seen from the ancient lane will be lost if new three storey accommodation blocks are built.

The college also wants to create a new entrance to the site from Bulwarks Lane, a narrow alleyway which runs to the north of the two buildings.

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This would allow it to connect the Castle Hill House site with its main campus on the other side of the lane.

In a landscape analysis for the college, Guillaume Baltz Landscape and Garden Design said the 'glimpse' of the castle mound was not a historic view.

It added: "It only became visible following repairs to a boundary wall of the Law Centre site, which resulted in the lowering of the brick wall. However it will be affected by the proposed buildings."

In response, Oxford Architectural and Historical Society said just because the view was over a modern brick wall, it did 'not mean it was not historic'.

It added: "The point we have made is that this area is the last remaining historically legible area marking the boundary of the castle ditch and bailey."

To make up for the view being lost, the landscape analysis suggested a new view could be created by cutting a slit through a boundary wall further along Bulwarks Lane.

This would also allow for a view of St George's Tower, said the designer.

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The entrance to the former Conservative club. Picture: Ed Nix.

But OAHS said very little in the new documents had addressed their concerns.

The society is also concerned about the plan to knock down the 19th century Castle Hill House.

It had previously tried to link the house to Daniel Harris, an architect who lived in the area in the early 19th century, and became the governor of Oxford castle and prison.

According to Guillaume Baltz there was also some criticism of plans to keep 16 spaces at the Fellow's car park, which opens onto New Road.

This was because it can be seen prominently from the Castle Mound.

But after looking at other parts of the site which could be used for parking this was still found to be the best option.

As well as the two accommodation blocks, there are plans for courtyard areas on the Castle Hill House site.

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Trees will be planted across the new development, including in the Fellow's car park and the courtyards.

The college is planning to build on the site so it can grow its student numbers in the future.

The new buildings would be used by its second year students.

The former Conservative clubhouse was closed in August 2017 and then bought by the college for redevelopment.

See planning reference 19/02306/FUL at the Oxford City Council website for more information about the plans.