Residents are not looking forward to a disused cattle market becoming a car park while Bicester town centre is redeveloped.

Cherwell District Council, the owner of the cattle market, has given itself permission to turn the two-acre Victoria Road site into a car park for up to 280 vehicles.

But home owners fear the new car park will generate more traffic on the busy road, off which there is already a car park behind the town's Somerfield supermarket.

Mairin West, of Manchester Terrace, Victoria Road, said: "I live three doors away from the entrance to the cattle market and I'm concerned about the extra traffic, the noise and the light pollution we will get."

Mick Perks, of Bath Terrace, said: "I would welcome the car park if we were able to be given residents' parking spaces. But the downside would be the extra traffic that would be generated."

Bicester councillor Les Sibley said he would prefer the cattle market to become a site for housing, as originally envisaged by the district council.

Mr Sibley said: "Cherwell already has permission for homes on the site. I realise there is a need for a temporary car park while the town centre re- development is being built over three existing car parks - between Sheep Street and Manorsfield Road.

"But I think there is already a need for extra car parking in Bicester and the cattle market could become a permanent car park."

David Marriott, Cherwell's property and technical services manager, said: "The plan to construct up to 40 homes on the site has gone on to the back burner.

"It will be for councillors to decide whether the cattle market becomes a temporary or permanent car park."

He added that Oxfordshire County Council had raised no objection to the car park scheme.