OXFORD University has said it is working with Oxford City Council to tackle any sewage issues which may arise because of its new £45m research building.

It has been given planning permission to build the Big Data Institute on the Old Road Campus in Headington.

But Thames Water raised concerns about the knock-on effect it could have on the area’s sewage network and asked the university to look into the issue.

University spokeswoman Clare Woodcock said: “The university continues to work closely with planners on reserved matters relating to the outline planning permission granted for the Big Data Institute and will of course comply with all conditions required of it.”

The centre will see researchers analyse large sets of patient data to improve understanding of diseases and treatments.

Once complete, the building will be part of Oxford University’s Old Road Campus, which is already home to a number of medical research facilities.

The campus is due to be expanded on to the neighbouring seven-acre Park Hospital site which the university bought in 2012.

The Big Data Institute has been funded with a £20m gift from the Li Ka Shing Foundation.