A SCHOOL headteacher has again raised traffic fears after it emerged a Marston pub could be turned into student flats.

The Cavalier, in Copse Lane, was set to be turned into a shop and 35 student flats after Oxford City Council gave the go-ahead in April.

But developer I&O Ltd has now revised the plan to include 58 en suite student rooms, but no shop.

New Marston Primary, with about 300 pupils, is opposite the former pub, and headteacher Zara d’Archambaud admitted worries about the new scheme.

She said: “My concern will always be with the safety of the children.

“We want to make sure any planning application would take into account the fact there are children walking around and crossing the road there.”

She added: “I think the flats could potentially create more traffic.”

The plan is due to go back to the planning committee, but a date has not yet been set for a decision.

In April, Mrs d’Archambaud urged councillors to reject the original scheme over road safety concerns.

In a letter, she said: “The proposed development will result in an even greater number of cars and delivery lorries coming into an area that is already challenging to keep safe for our children.”

The new plans also propose shared facilities and wardens’ rooms on three floors.

City councillor Van Coulter, who was on the planning committee for the original decision, said: “I am just wondering whether they are amending it because of Tesco going ahead.”

The supermarket chain won an appeal last month to build a new Express store on the site of the former Friar pub, on the corner of nearby Old Marston Road.

He said: “Maybe the locality of the store added something and they saw there was no need for a shop.

“I know there was some concern from neighbours in terms of students bringing cars and the impact on traffic.”

County councillor for Headington and Marston, Altaf Khan, said: “The school is expanding, they have building work going on and the number of children going to the school is going to increase.

“This is all around a very busy and sharp bend. These were peoples’ concerns last time and I’m sure they’ll be the same this time.”

The pub closed last year, just months after landlord Brian Minns urged people to “use it or lose it” in the Oxford Mail.

I&O Ltd was unavailable for comment.