UP to nine parking spaces will be saved under revised plans for student housing at Oxford’s St Clement’s car park – but a leading trader said the scheme was still too big.

The developer, the Watkin Jones Group, has revised its proposal, now submitting plans for three accommodation blocks, housing 141 students, instead of the four blocks it proposed in October.

The change would mean 73 or 74 out of 120 parking spaces would remain. The previous design would have left 65 spaces.

The three blocks will also be placed further away from Alan Bullock Close after Oxford University raised concerns about the impact on existing student accommodation in the road.

However, Clinton Pugh, who runs Kazbar, Café Coco and Café Tarifa in Cowley Road, said: “These are difficult times for the restaurant trade.

“If this scheme goes ahead, even it is revised, then it will have a harmful effect on businesses like mine in this area.”

Yellow posters opposing the £8m plan for the Oxford City Council-owned car park have become a familiar sight in East Oxford.

Paul Gillespie, a project manager at Watkin Jones, said: “The change in design has been prompted by the input we have received from all quarters, including Oxford University, residents and retailers.”

An exhibition of the revised plans will be held at Cowley Road Methodist Church tomorrow, from 4pm to 8pm .

Mr Gillespie said: “People will be able to have a close look at the revised plans.

“Following consultation, we hope to submit a revised application before the end of the year.

“We will never be able to answer some of the criticisms, because some people don’t want any part of the car park to be built on.”

Oxford Green Party spokesman Craig Simmons said: “I would urge as many people as possible to go along and give their views on the revised application.

“My concern is for traders in the area during the estimated 12 to 14 months when the accommodation is being built.”

The council agreed to allow the car park to be developed for student accommodation in its Local Plan, which maps out future development, in November 2005.

Planning permission will need to be given by the council before any work starts on the site.

Council spokesman Louisa Dean said: “We have not yet received a revised planning application.”