HUNDREDS of people who could be employed at a major new science park should be provided with housing there to ease traffic pressures, say residents.

People living in Wolvercote want homes for key workers to be part of the Northern Gateway development, which has been approved in principle by a planning inspector in June on land south of Pear Tree.

Oxford City Council defines key workers as people who work for the NHS, teachers, university and college staff, the police, council staff and members of the armed forces.

The science park is expected to play host to high-tech research facilities, likely to be staffed by some university researchers.

And the Wolvercote Neighbourhood Forum has said housing for these professions is one of its top priorities, arguing providing homes close to where people work will reduce rush-hour congestion.

Chairman Chris Hardman said: “It would reduce congestion, because you then don’t have the need for all these people to drive into the city.

“That is important because at the moment it looks like the traffic could be pretty awful in North Oxford when this development is built.”

Speaking after a meeting of the forum’s steering group on Wednesday night, Mr Hardman said other measures would be needed to better connect the Northern Gateway with Wolvercote.

The village is set to undergo major changes, with 200 homes also planned for the former paper mill site, off Mill Road.

Mr Hardman said one of the key concerns of the neighbourhood forum was making sure the mill site development and the homes in the Northern Gateway, which could be next to the A40, linked well with Wolvercote in its present form.

He said: “There is a fear that the new areas won’t link with Wolvercote, but it is our wish to try to create those community relations.

“That can be difficult if you have a major road going through the middle of you.

“But one thing that can help is community facilities for families and the elderly.”

The Liberal Democrat group on the city council has said it will campaign for key worker homes to be included in the Northern Gateway, as the council reviews its affordable housing policy.

City councillor for St Margaret’s Liz Wade and Wolvercote councillor Mike Gotch said in a motion to the full council last month: “Key workers are vital to the continuing success of this city.”

Labour leader Bob Price said: “The city council has had a series of very positive meetings with St John’s about the development of the Northern Gateway.

“Both the college and the central university have indicated that research related key worker housing would be a valuable element of the housing mix on the site.”