FRESH designs for a 190- home development at the former paper mill site in Wolvercote will be submitted next month.

Oxford University says the scheme addresses residents’ concerns about traffic and flooding.

It said more than 100 people had visited an exhibition at the White Hart, in Godstow Road, to see the new plans last weekend.

The university withdrew plans in early 2014 because of a series of objections.

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Unversity spokesman Matt Pickles said: “The sessions aimed to address questions raised during the previous consultation process around flooding and drainage and traffic and access. The university intends to submit further information to Oxford City Council in April which will supplement the existing application for outline planning permission.”

The revised scheme – put forward after months of talks with local groups – includes a 300sqm doctor’s surgery, office buildings and a community centre.

Oxford Mail:

The new plan.

The university said it would be in line with city council housing policies, meaning 50 per cent of homes could be affordable.

Its submission of new designs followed earlier concerns the site would flood in winter.

Residents also feared the only access road to the development, near two pubs and a children’s play area, was a hazard and that nearby car parking would be lost.

But the Environment Agency said new data showed the area’s flood risk had decreased.

Spokeswoman Sue Veal said: “The flooding of the Mill site in 2007 was in part a result of incorrect operation of the weir, which caused water to back up and overflow on to the site.

“The Environment Agency can confirm that, as the operating and navigation authority on the Thames, it is best placed to operate the weir.”

To allay traffic concerns the university has produced two new proposals for access roads off Mill Road.

One is similar to original designs but includes alterations to the bend of Godstow Road to slow down passing vehicles.

The second would involve a miniroundabout at the Godstow Road and Mill Road junction.

There were also concerns part of the site encroached on Green Bel, but the new designs excluded small buildings from that area.

The paper mill, off Mill Road, was demolished in 2004 after being closed by Oxford University Press (OUP) in 1998.

Production of paper there dated back to at least 1674 and OUP bought the site in 1970.

The university first put forward plans for a £40m scheme – including 200 homes – that was scrapped in 2011. It hopes to gain planning permission for the new scheme so it can sell the land for a higher value.

Oxfordshire county councillor for Wolvercote Jean Fooks said: “We are very pleased that the university listened to the concerns of local people and we will now examine the new scheme with great interest.”