Plans for an office complex which could house most of Oxfam's staff are likely to be given approval -- although the charity warned the development might not be enough to keep its base in Summertown.

An artist's impression of the proposed design for the new-look Suffolk House

The city council's north area committee has recommended approving revised plans by the owners of Suffolk House, the offices that Oxfam had hoped to move into, to redevelop the building.

The charity said it was not aware a new planning application -- for a four-storey building, including six shops and office space -- had been submitted.

Paul Mylrea, media manager for Oxfam, said: "We're not aware of this planning application.

"We're continuing to review all the options."

In the past, Oxfam has said that Suffolk House, at the junction of Banbury Road and South Parade, would be an ideal location to house its workforce of 750, from eight of its nine offices in north Oxford. But the charity now says that it has no plans to move into the building.

The charity is concerned that a proposed residents' parking scheme, to limit on-street parking in Summertown, would cause problems for staff. Oxfam has requested 50 parking permits, but has been offered 26.

Fixcove Ltd, which owns Suffolk House, declined to comment on whether the development would meet Oxfam's needs, but said it would be suitable for a large organisation or several small businesses.

A company spokesman said no guarantees about which businesses would be occupying the building could be made.

He added: "Until planning permission is granted it would be premature to make any announcements about the occupation of the retail units".

Shop owners in the existing building and Summertown residents have also expressed concern about the plan.

The Summertown ward councillor, Alan Armitage, said: "This building will be too big, completely out of proportion with the surroundings and, maybe more importantly, environmentally disastrous.

"It will be riddled with air-conditioning and extractor fans. Oxfam, as an environmental campaigner, would probably want to be sensitive to these issues. I think some residents may have already contacted the charity to voice their concerns.

"I'll be doing all I can to encourage this application's rejection."

Mr Armitage added that residents were planning to hold a meeting about the plans.

The council's strategic development control committee will consider the proposal on Wednesday, June 4.