Ruskin College's proposed multi-million pound move to a site in north Oxford could deliver a death blow to the college, a former head of Ruskin has warned.

John Hughes, who served as Principal of Ruskin between 1979 and 1989, condemned plans to sell off Ruskin's historic sites in Walton Street and Old Headington.

He said the scheme to move Ruskin into a purpose-built building on the former Unipart factory site, off Woodstock Road, appeared "totally damaging to the college's future".

The college is already bitterly divided over plans to enter into a unique partnership with Berkeley Homes, which would design and build the "new Ruskin" next to a major housing development.

The present principal, Jim Durcan, admitted there were divisions but said there had been extensive consultation about the single site plan. Mr Hughes, who served Ruskin for 30 years as a tutor, vice-principal and principal, said: "The college proposals have no serious merit and would generate massive and persistent disadvantages and risks to the college's future.

"They would, if carried out, undermine and inhibit the social and educational values and innovative spirit that have made Ruskin internationally influential and respected."

The former principal decided to speak out after Ruskin lecturers in the Association of University Teachers passed a resolution opposing the proposed move and launched a petition.

Mr Hughes argued that Ruskin, formed a century ago to give workers with no qualifications the opportunity to study at Oxford, would be trapped on the Berkeley site. He added: "Why should we deny working-class students one of the best college sites in Oxford?"