OXFORD’S world-famous dreaming spires are more at risk now than at any point in the past 60 years, a leading conservationist has warned.

Debbie Dance, director of Oxford Preservation Trust, has issued the warning because she is concerned the large number of planned new developments will significantly alter the distinctive skyline.

Until now the spires have largely been protected by 'view cones', and 18.2m height restrictions on new buildings.

Introduced in 1962, these guidelines have been adopted by successive development plans.

View cones are lines of sight looking towards Oxford from several points around the city which must not be affected by building.

But Ms Dance said she was seriously concerned the desperate need for new housing in the city, and limitations imposed by the Green Belt, could prompt developers to build ‘upwards not outwards’.

She said: “Oxford was proud to be the first city to have such a policy, its success there for all to see today, not least from the pavement in the sky at the new Westgate Centre.

“Now, for the first time in 60 years, it is at risk.

“More housing is needed, and tight administrative boundaries and political differences, Green Belt, and the flood plain restrict opportunities to build.

“If you don’t build outwards, then an obvious response is to build upwards, so it can be no surprise that the city council has commissioned a High Buildings Study looking at this and at encouraging higher densities.”

Ms Dance added that permission has already been granted for a 15-storey tower at Templars Square shopping centre in Cowley.

She said: “Early drawings for Oxpens show a trophy tower."

The trust director urged planners to place ‘considerable weight’ on the importance of protecting the views.

Ms Dance said: “Let us not be the generation that kills the goose that lays this golden egg, for surely Oxford’s dreaming spires matter to the economy as well as to us heritage buffs.”

The conservationist said there were a number of Oxford University college proposals which needed monitoring, one from St Hilda’s for a tall tower in Cowley Place, and a Jesus College proposal for a tower opposite the Covered Market.She described a New College plan for a 25m tower as ‘extraordinary’.