A PLANNING inquiry to decide whether homes for 35 graduate students should be built in an Oxford conservation area began today.

Oriel College was refused permission to build accommodation for students on the site of a former nursery school in the Bartlemas conservation area in East Oxford in November last year, despite approval for the proposals being recommended by Oxford City Council planning officers.

The plans were turned down by the council’s east area committee on the grounds that insufficient information was supplied on what effect the development would have on drainage, and that the scale and mass of the scheme would have an adverse impact on the area.

In a written submission to today's hearing at Oxford Town Hall, on behalf of the college, planning consultant Christopher Hicks argued that the proposal would increase the supply of much-needed accommodation in Oxford. He also said that the conservation area did not put an embargo on future development.

He cited Sinnet Court, St John’s Vicarage and Bartlemas Lodge, which had all been built since the conservation area was brought in.

Oxford Civic Society chairman Tony Joyce said: “We still feel that the two pavilions they have planned are too high and bulky and they are an intrusion into the calm atmosphere of the conservation area.”

Bartlemas residents refused to speak to the Oxford Mail when approached by our reporter at the planning inquiry.

The inquiry is set to finish on Friday.

A decision by planning inspector Richard Thomas is expected within seven weeks.