CAMPAIGNERS have dismissed plans to change the appearance of the Castle Mill student flats, claiming they would "do nothing" to repair the damage done to Port Meadow and views of the city.

Oxford University has proposed screening its controversial buildings with trees and changing their colour, with Oxford City Council's west area planning committee due to consider the plans at a meeting in Oxford Town Hall tonight.

It comes after a report found in 2014 that views had been harmed by the flats.

The plans to change their appearance is the least expensive of three options the report suggested and will involve a change of the colour, texture and cladding of the flats, and tree screening at a cost of £6m.

Campaign group Save Port Meadow has demanded the flats be reduced in height, but this idea was rejected by the university's 'parliament' – the Congregation – in a landmark vote last year.

Group spokeswoman Sushila Dhall said the saga had been an "embarrassing failure" for the city council and the university, adding: "The proposed trees and paint does nothing to address the damage done to Oxford’s protected landscapes, and everyone knows it."

The city council’s planning officers have recommended that councillors approve the scheme.

A university spokesman said: "The council’s planning officers’ report for the committee confirms that we have submitted all the information needed for councillors to make a decision, and that the outstanding planning conditions should be discharged.

"It is now up to councillors to make a decision.”