MARSTON residents have again vented their anger against Tesco’s plan for a car park where a war memorial bench sits.

Tesco has had planning permission to convert the old Friar Pub site into a supermarket since June 2011 after it was approved on appeal.

In the planning application, there are plans to create a “parking lay-by approximately 28m in length limited to a one-hour maximum stay” on a piece of green space in front of the Allegro Saxophone shop and Trev’s barber shop.

In March 2013, a memorial bench was put on the green space to honour the 27 men from the parish killed during the Second World War.

A plaque was also put up in October 2012 during a ceremony where the vicar read out the names of those who had died.

Money for the new bench and plaque came from Marston city councillor Mick Haines’s community grant fund.

The plaque cost £500 and was put up last October, and the bench cost £1,500.

Mr Haynes said: “If Tesco try to go ahead with this car park, there will be a big residents’ uprising. It will be shocking if they try to do this and disrespectful to those who died in the war.

“A lot of people would be disgusted and would not accept it.”

Roger Baycock, who runs the saxophone shop opposite the site and in front of the proposed car park, said: “I am absolutely furious about it – there’s been no consultation whatsoever. I don’t see why we should be subjected to this.

“The car park will be in operation from 7am to 11pm and will be open seven days a week.”

Work is still yet to begin on the site and in May 2013 Tesco said work will not start until next year at the earliest.

Tesco’s planning permission expires in early June 2014 but for Oxford City Council to refuse an extension there would have to have been a significant change in circumstances in the meantime. Tesco was unavailable for comment.