CONTROVERSIAL plans to extend an "iconic" building in East Oxford have been called in for scrutiny over concerns they could "seriously damage" its heritage.

The multi-million pound project to refurbish and extend the Florey Building to provide 25 extra student rooms and more conference facilities was approved by Oxford City Council earlier this month.

Now, concerns about the impact the scheme would have on the building's heritage and the wider economy of the city – given how many tourists it attracts – have led to it being "called in" by 12 councillors.

The Grade II-listed building off St Clement’s, built in 1971, was designed by controversial British architect of the post-war period James Stirling.

It was commissioned by Lord Howard Florey, the Queen’s College Provost and a Nobel Prize winner.

The council's planning lead Alex Hollingsworth was one of the 12 who raised concerns and said it needed another look.

He said: "It's a really important piece of architecture - James Stirling was not everyone's cup of tea but this is an iconic building.

"The proposed extension does not protect the existing building's design in any way and actually causes quite serious damage to it.

"My concerns are purely aesthetic and I think it's such an important building it's worth looking at again."

The Twentieth Century Society, an organisation which seeks to safeguard architecture from 1914 onwards, strongly objected to the scheme.

Secretary of York Place residents' association Dr Peter Collins also urged the council to reject the plans.

He commented: "We have come to admire Stirling's concept and vision that the building represents and appreciate it being recorded as a listed building.

"It is recognised as an important Oxford landmark and it seems that visiting architects, students and supports of modern architecture make a bee-line to see it and photograph it."

He added: "We consider a plan to erect a new, barrack-like structure of even one storey obscuring the Florey Building entirely out of place - some have called it 'sacrilege' others a 'desecration'."

Oxford City Council's west area planning committee approved the plans on April 12 after planning officers considered the objections were not enough for refusal.

The Queen's College finance bursar Andrew Timms told the Oxford Mail he was surprised by the move to reconsider the plans.

He said: "We are slightly surprised it has been called in, really.

"The planning officer's recommendation was very favourable and then, of course, it was approve at committee.

"Of course if the council want to have another look at the concerns we are entirely respectful of that but we are hopeful the review won't change the decision."

Oxford City Council's planning review committee will make a decision on the proposals on Wednesday at Oxford Town Hall from 4pm.