A CIVIC group has blasted college plans for student accommodation next to an historic cemetery and called on Oxford University to intervene.

Oxford Civic Society said it had “grave misgivings” about proposals for 349 student rooms on land south of Manor Place, put forward by Merton College and McLaren Property.

The developers argue the scheme will “deliver a significant number of homes to meet the need for student accommodation” in the city, with only “minor adverse effects” on surroundings.

But the civic society is the latest group to raise concerns about the three accommodation blocks planned, which would sit on land bordered by Holywell Cemetery and several listed buildings.

The scheme also faces objections from Oxford Preservation Trust, almost 80 members of the public and – in an unusual twist – two neighbouring colleges, which are all calling for the plans to be scaled back.

Civic society chairman Peter Thompson and vice-chairman Sir Clive Booth said in a joint statement: “Oxford Civic Society has grave misgivings about these proposals for such a jewel of a site.

“It is alarming that Oxford University has not been proactive in influencing Merton College’s decisions relating to the site, despite the fact the university claims to have an urgent need for postgraduate accommodation.”

They called on the university to present a joint plan with colleges, which are all autonomous, for accommodation in the city.

But in a letter responding to Mr Thompson’s concerns, Oxford University pro-vice-chancellor for planning William James stressed that colleges were “free to pursue” their own interests.

He added: “The provision of good quality, affordable accommodation for our students is in the university’s interest and as part of our regular cycle of planning we liaise with the colleges each year to ascertain their development plans.”

“Although some aspects of the scheme may have improved, the number of students to be accommodated has increased and this exacerbates many of the defects in earlier proposals”, Mr Thompson and Sir Clive added.

Paul Erskine, a spokesman for McLaren Property, said: “McLaren Property has consulted with local groups on a number of occasions and has made a significant amendments to the final proposal, which we feel represents the best possible solution.”